Cattermole set for contract talks

Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole is set for a discussion on a new contract, says boss Martin O’Neill.

The former Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough enforcer has now entered the final 12 months of three-year contract he inked in 2009 when he moved from the DW Stadium.

Cattermole, 24, has proven himself to be an important cog in O’Neill’s side despite injury and needless bookings during the gaffer’s first 10 months at the Stadium of Light.

Speaking to The Shields Gazette, O’Neill said talks would be forthcoming:

“Cattermole has been excellent since I came to the football club – and he may well have been before, I don`t know about that.

“I do not want to build him up too much – particularly as he has a contract to sign here!’ Joked O’Neill.

Cattermole is not the only Black Cat out of contract next summer with Fraizer Campbell, Titus Bramble and Matt Kilgallon’s contracts all expiring next June.

The situation for those three players is less from certain with Campbell needing a run of games to prove his fitness whilst both Bramble and Kilgallon occupy an already over-populated position at centre-back.

The saving grace for the two defenders could be the continual injury concerns of Wes Brown who once again looks set to miss a substantial portion of the season through injury.