Midfield battler still in manager’s plans.Check in to West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland
Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole has been handed a lifeline by the club’s manager Paolo Di Canio after the Italian has decided to wipe the slate clean, Sky Sports reports.
Di Canio has undertaken a dramatic overhaul at the Stadium of Light this summer by drafting in no fewer than 14 new players into the squad, and the new arrivals subsequently forced a number of those already at the club down in the pecking order.
And Cattermole, who skippered the Black Cats squad under previous manager Martin O’Neill, was one of the players that found himself out of favour with the fiery manager and rumours of a move to Hull City, West Ham United or Cardiff City circulated during the transfer window.
The combative midfielder has, however, remained on Wearside and will be given an opportunity to force his way back into first team contention by Di Canio.
“I have to be honest, he wasn’t in my plans. I told him, to have a future here he had to convince me,” Di Canio said.
“I need British players, I need the quality, the intensity. I need the fire. He’s full of enthusiasm and it’s a new start for him.”
However, the future isn’t looking quite as rosy for Cattermole’s fellow midfielder Cabral, who has found himself out of favour after only one competitive appearance.
“At the moment he’s behind three other players who have got ahead of him. It’s very difficult for him,” Di Canio added.
“Maybe one day, if he can show me that he understands football, then yes he will play again.
“Otherwise, in the middle, especially against top sides, we will get beaten. At this moment, Cabral has got difficulties.”