Source: Northern_Echo
Cattermole is hoping to follow Henderson’s lead
WITH Jordan Henderson having experienced his first England training session yesterday, Lee Cattermole is hoping the Wearsider is not the only Sunderland midfielder winning full international honours in the not-too-distant future.[LNB] Henderson joined the rest of the England squad on Sunday evening, just hours after helping the Black Cats record an exhilarating 3-0 win at Chelsea, and is being lined up for a full England debut in tomorrow's friendly with France.[LNB] Cattermole is delighted to see his team-mate in such exalted company, but there has been little to choose between the two players this season and the Middlesbrough-born midfielder could be forgiven for wondering why he has not been mentioned as a possible addition to Fabio Capello's squad.[LNB] His first priority is to regain the Under-21 place he lost towards the end of last season, and while he has been surprisingly overlooked for this week's game with Germany, he has discussed his position with manager Stuart Pearce.[LNB] In the longer term, however, a senior squad place is a key ambition, and while he is reluctant to look too far into the future, he is confident in his ability to succeed at international level.[LNB] I'm enjoying playing, and I haven't really thought about England for one second, said Cattermole, who made his Under-21 debut in November 2007. I just want to keep doing well for Sunderland.[LNB] But in my mind, I think I'm capable of playing for my country.[LNB] I need to get back into the Under-21 side before I can start thinking about a full cap, but as an English lad playing in the Premier League, it's always something that's on your mind.[LNB] I've been left out of the Under-21s for the last few meet ups, but I've spoken to Stuart Pearce and told him I feel much more comfortable in terms of my fitness and everything this season. I had a few problems injury wise last year, and things were a bit up and down. But I'm much happier with how things are going now.[LNB] I'm enjoying my football at the minute. I had a tough start to the season with the sending offs and things like that, but I've had a good run in the side now and a settled run of games, which I never really got last season. I feel much fitter, and that's helping me get up and down the pitch all game long.[LNB] Different people have different ideas about players, but as long as I'm appreciated for what I do in a team, I'll be happy. And I think Steve Bruce appreciates what I do for Sunderland.[LNB] Some managers won't appreciate it, but you just have to get on with it. Football is a game of opinions. Some people will think I should have a shout of playing for England, some people won't.[LNB] The Teessider certainly performed effectively enough on Sunday, with his midfield partnership with Henderson providing one of the cornerstones for a result that has widely been hailed as the shock of the season.[LNB] The pair first played together at Bolton on the opening day of last season, and while Cattermole freely admits he was not really sure who his fellow midfielder was back then, he has regarded him as an England international in waiting ever since.[LNB] He is sure he will go on to bigger and better things with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City circling, he just hopes he will achieve them with Sunderland.[LNB] When I first came to the club, Jordan was brought on as a substitute in the first game away at Bolton, said Cattermole. I'd only trained for three or four days so I have to admit I didn't really know who he was.[LNB] But here was this young kid coming on in a tight game, so straight away I thought, Well the gaffer must really fancy him'. I hadn't seen much of him, but I know the gaffer, and for him to have that kind of faith in him, I knew he must be good.[LNB] He's played in pretty much every match since and he's come on in leaps and bounds.[LNB] He's confident, he's strong and he's up and down the pitch all the time. He looks after himself and he's a really good professional.[LNB] I'm sure he's going to go on to bigger and better things, and I'm sure it's going to be very hard for Sunderland to keep hold of him. He's a top player and he's just going to go on and improve. But he's loving his football here at Sunderland and I'm sure we'll do all we can to keep him.[LNB] He has to keep his feet on the ground, but I'm sure he'll do that because he's a good lad. He has a good family around him and a lot of good friends. I've got no worries about Jordan on that score.[LNB]
