Source: PA
Cattermole on comeback trail
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is hoping skipper Lee Cattermole's injury problems are behind him as he prepares to return to full training.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been out of action since the end of December with a back problem which has required complete rest, but started running again last week and is ready to step up his bid for fitness.
Cattermole has been plagued by injuries since his £6million switch from Wigan to the Stadium of Light - he has managed just 18 appearances to date this season, although two red cards have contributed to his absences - after missing a significant proportion of his first campaign on Wearside with a series of niggling problems.
When he has been fit, the former Middlesbrough enforcer has fully justified Bruce's faith in him, and that is why he has refused to take any chances with him.
The manager said: "We know it's a back injury and we were worried it would turn into a stress fracture. That was the biggest worry and that's why he had to have complete rest, which he has done.
"The remit was that we had to give him six to eight weeks off to make sure it didn't turn into a stress fracture, and that's what we have done. He was in and around jogging last week and we hope that's now okay with the rest he has had."
