Sunderland rocked by Cattermole blow

Steve Bruce’s Sunderland side have been one of the surprise packages of the season so far. With 16 points from nine games they sit above Liverpool in the Premier League table and have picked up some impressive results.

On their visit to Old Trafford the Black Cats took a point from Manchester United, but were within a whisker of taking all three. When Liverpool came to the Stadium of Light they managed to go one better, albeit with the help of a beach ball, and take all three points. Sunderland may have been fortunate in the way they got their goal against Liverpool but they were the better team throughout that game and thoroughly deserved their win.

Obviously Darren Bent’s contribution to the team has been fantastic. Since his summer move from Spurs the former Charlton man has notched up an impressive seven goals so far this season and is in fine form. However, one of Sunderland’s problems last season seemed to be a lack of bite in midfield but this time around they have added Lee Cattermole to their ranks – and he has perhaps been their real hero.

Cattermole is a combative midfielder and a player Steve Bruce fought hard for to prise him off Wigan. It is the second time Bruce signed the midfielder having been the manager who brought him from Middlesbrough to Wigan and you can see why the Black Cats boss rates the player so highly. He fights for every ball and also has a touch of quality in his passing. Sunderland’s victory over Liverpool came at a price – Cattermole has now been ruled out for around three months after picking up a medial ligament injury during the famous victory.

Bruce confirmed the worst in an interview with local newspaper the Sunderland Echo, he said: “We think it will be at least 12 weeks for Catts,

“He’s done his medial ligament. It’s not good news, but it’s the best we could have have hoped.”

Bruce admitted his side will miss Cattermole’s presence but believes he has the strength and depth in midfield to cope with the loss.

He added: “We have a few options in midfield. You feel for the boy because he’s had a great start here and has epitomised what we’re about and why we brought him here.

“He’s done everything we knew he would.

“He couldn’t wait to rampage around the park last weekend and for the part of the game he was on the pitch, he was fantastic.

“We will miss him, but we have others who can step in.”

In all honesty I wouldn’t go betting on Sunderland maintaining their form without Cattermole. Albanian Lorik Cana plays in a similar role but hasn’t impressed me as much as Cattermole yet, though in fairness to Cana he has only just moved to the Premier League. Only time will tell if Sunderland can keep up the pressure on those chasing European football without Cattermole but it will certainly be a tougher task for Steve Bruce’s men.

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