Source: PA
Cattermole set for further absence
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce could be facing up to another month without skipper Lee Cattermole.
The 22-year-old has not played since the Black Cats' 2-0 Barclays Premier League home defeat by Blackpool on December 28, an absence of six games, because of a persistent back problem.
Cattermole was told to rest for a month by a specialist, and although Bruce hinted in the week running up to the derby clash with Newcastle on January 16 the midfield enforcer could be involved, he has not been seen since.
But now he has been told he must sit out for at least three further weeks, and that will come as another blow to Bruce, who has seen his £6million signing from Wigan miss far too much football through a combination of injury and suspension during his 17 months or so on Wearside to date.
Cattermole's back condition has had a knock-on effect and caused hamstring and hip problems, and he missed two months of last season for similar reasons.
