Di Canio was given a limited amount of time to keep the Black Cats in the top-flight at the end of last season, replacing Martin O'Neill in the hot seat at the Stadium of Light.
The Italian was quick to start his overhaul at the club, questioning the fitness and attitude of a number of his team and ruling over training sessions with a lot of focus placed on discipline.
The former Swindon man is eager to get off on the right foot next term and has informed players that he expects them to return from the summer ready and raring to go.
Di Canio said: “Obviously the players have a programme to follow so that they are ready when pre-season begins.
“When we start, we will start not that heavy, but there will still be a great deal to do and they have to be ready.
“It's normal in the Premier League, that players get punishment for breaking rules set down by the club.”

Hughes was appointed as the Potters boss at the end of May following the departure of long-serving boss Tony Pulis, who was relieved of his duties at the Britannia Stadium after seven years at the club.
Rumours had been circulating that the Welsh man would have to answer to a Director of Football over any business that he would like to conduct in the window.
Scholes has been quick to back his manager and cool any talk that he will be unable to mould the squad and place his own stamp on the team.
Scholes said: “The media started reporting that the club was looking to take a 'new direction' and those suggestions seemed to gather some momentum. As far as we're concerned, there is no new direction, we're very clear on how the club should be run.
“Fundamentally, it will be Mark Hughes' decision on what players we recruit within the budgetary parameters that are set but there's no change of direction. Every player that comes into the Club will come in because Mark Hughes wants him to.”

Hooper has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and Norwich tried to sign the 25-year-old in January, reportedly having an £8million offer for him rejected early in the new year.
His value appears to have now dipped, however, as he is entering the final year of his contract at Celtic Park and the Canaries are hoping to land Hooper for as little as £4million during the summer transfer window.
Norwich have already signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon for a club-record £8.5m but boss Chris Hughton wants more firepower in the top flight next season and has identified the Englishman, who hit 31 goals in all competitions for the Bhoys last term, as his next target.
Hull, Sunderland and Southampton have all also been linked but it is Norwich who are currently leading the chase for his signature.

The 26-year-old is believed to be among Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino's off-season wish-list but he looks like having fairly formidable competition in the shape of Napoli.
The centre-back nearly arrived at St Mary's in January but the move did not materialise with Norwegian Vegard Forren snapped up as additional cover instead.
However, fresh reports in Italy say Southampton are once again keen on signing Astori although his desire to make the switch to the Premier League could be tested if Napoli, who last month appointed former Liverpool and Chelsea interim boss Benitez as boss, also come in for him.
Saints have also been linked with Lyon central defender Dejan Lovren, 23, who is valued at around £12m, as another option if they do not manage to land Astori.

The rumour mill has gone into overdrive now that Bruce is back behind his desk and Davies is the latest player to be linked with a move to the KC Stadium.
Birmingham will struggle to keep hold of the former Aston Villa defender due to the club's precarious financial situation and a £3million offer would be enough to secure a deal.
Norwich, who are managed by former Blues boss Chris Hughton, are also keen, so Bruce will face competition for the defender's signature should he pursue a deal.
Defence is an area that Bruce is keen to strengthen with proven Premier League players and Wigan's Maynor Figueroa, who is available on a free transfer, also remains a target.

Toon boss Alan Pardew is facing a battle to keep some of his star players this summer and it has now emerged that the Gunners are keeping tabs on Taylor with a view to making a bid.
Arsene Wenger is on the look out for a new central defender after releasing Sebastien Squillaci, while doubts are also surrounding the future of Laurent Koscielny, who is a target for Bayern Munich.
Swansea's Ashley Williams has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but it seems as though Wenger may have turned his attentions to Taylor.
Pardew would be very reluctant to sell Taylor, especially with Fabricio Coloccini unsettled at St James' Park and targeting a return to Argentina during the close season.

Hughes is desperate to rebuild his managerial reputation with the Potters following a less than successful stint in charge of Queens Park Rangers.
The Welshman was accused of bringing in too many players with questionable attitudes on big salaries during his time at Loftus Road, and divisions in the dressing room were identified as one of the prime reasons for Rangers' relegation from the Premier League by his successor Harry Redknapp.
Stoke themselves hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in the final week of the season after a couple of pranks involving senior players went a bit far and were brought into the public eye when photographs were posted on Twitter.
Trinidadian striker Kenwyne Jones failed to see the funny side when a pig's head was left in his locker and responded by smashing the windscreen of team-mate Glenn Whelan's car.
However, Walters is convinced Hughes won't have any trouble motivating the group he is inheriting from departing manager Tony Pulis.
The Republic of Ireland international said: “There's no problem with the spirit. We're all still mates. These things go on.
“Lots of stuff like this happens at clubs that no one ever hears about. It's just that this was something that everyone did hear about. But it's not unusual.”
Walters is now aiming to play a big part in City's future under the former Manchester United hitman as the club looks to progress to the next level after establishing themselves as a solid Premier League outfit in recent seasons.
He added: “It is a good club for someone to come in now. It is a blank canvas, a big squad of players and there is great support.
“Hopefully, he will want to keep me and I will stay.”

Clarke is desperate for the 26-year-old to stay at the Hawthorns in the face of strong interest from the likes of Fiorentina after an impressive season for the Baggies.
The DR Congo man has become a popular figure with the Albion fans too since his arrival in the West Midlands from Paris Saint Germain in 2009.
Chairman Jeremy Peace has been told in no uncertain terms to do everything in his power to persuade him to commit his long-term future to the club even though he still has another 12 months to run on his existing contract, which includes an option for an additional year.
The Baggies have already reached agreements with Jonas Olsson and James Morrison in recent months and are keen for Mulumbu to follow suit next.
Clarke said: “Youssouf has been excellent for us since I have been here and is one of the players we want to keep.
“I think come the summer the ones that we have to keep – that I want to keep – will still be at the club.”

Roma general director Franco Baldini has flown to London to meet Cottagers' officials and tie up a deal for the Netherlands international.
Stekelenburg was close to moving to Craven Cottage in January only for the transfer to collapse at the last minute.
Roma have already targeted Santos stopper Rafael as a replacement, meaning a deal for the 30-year-old should go through on this occasion.
Stekelenburg's arrival would almost certainly spell the end of Mark Schwarzer's career with the Fulham.
The 40-year-old's contract expired at the end of the season and the Australian revealed earlier this month that he has yet to be offered a new one.

Having lost his place in the first-team earlier this year, there has been mounting talk that the Slovakian would be looking to leave Anfield during the close season.
The likes of Arsenal, Zenit St Petersburg and Napoli, managed now by Skrtel's former Reds boss Rafa Benitez, are keeping tabs on his situation, but despite Kolo Toure's recent arrival, the centre back is keen to remain on Merseyside.
Agent Karol Csonto has played down suggestions of an imminent move for the 28-year-old and insists that “it is not possible” for his client to leave Liverpool this summer.
Csonto added: “Martin still has a three-year contract with Liverpool and the most likely outcome is that he remains here.”