Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland star Cattermole ready for Villa clash after remarkable recovery
Ahead of schedule: Lee Cattermole[LNB]Lee Cattermole has an outside chance of a stunning return from serious injury against Aston Villa tonight. [LNB]He is back in training a month ahead of schedule and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits his £6million midfielder has given the weary Wearside club a much-needed lift. [LNB]Cattermole returned to the first-team squad on Sunday morning and, although he had been pencilled in for a return to action against Hartlepool reserves tomorrow night, Bruce is considering putting him on the bench to face Villa at the Stadium of Light. [LNB]Former Wigan and Middlesbrough midfielder Cattermole has been out for almost two months with a knee injury and has been sorely missed by Sunderland. [LNB]They have picked up just one point from nine since their fine home win over Arsenal at the end of last month, blowing the chance to stay among the European contenders. [LNB]Bruce said: 'It was doom and gloom around here on Sunday morning but he lit up training because of his hunger to be involved.[LNB] 'I knew he would give me this problem. We talked about being out for 12 weeks and he has been eight weeks. He has worked like a beast to be in there. The team look far better when he is playing. [LNB] Sorely missed: Cattermole has been out for two months with a knee injury[LNB]'He certainly epitomises what I want in a footballer. He is desperate to go and train and desperate to play because he enjoys it that much.' [LNB]Sunderland would have gone third had they beaten Wigan, Fulham and Portsmouth following their 1-0 victory over Arsenal. Instead they are 10th. [LNB]Bruce is convinced Aston Villa can be the side to break into the top four this season, but expects more twists and turns in one of the most competitive Premier League seasons he can remember. [LNB] Steve Bruce faces Phil Bardsley dilemma after cult hero Nyron Nosworthy's heroicsSunderland boss Bruce handed a boost as midfielder Cattermole returnsALL THE MIDWEEK BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWSSUNDERLAND FC
