Lee Cattermole gives Cats a boost ahead of Reds’ visit

Oct 14 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

LEE Cattermole has handed Sunderland a fitness boost for Saturday’s game against Liverpool as opposite number Steven Gerrard’s involvement in the game was cast into doubt.

The Reds’ captain has returned to Merseyside after picking up a groin injury in Ukraine which has ruled him out of tonight’s England game against Belarus, and therefore raised question marks over his involvement in this weekend’s match.

Cattermole, though. is expected to play after missing the latest round of international matches with a long-standing heel injury.

The Teessider had been due to captain England Under-21s against Macedonia, but withdrew from the game to receive treatment on the injury which has been troubling him for two months.

Cattermole was forced to sit out two games last month with the problem, which clearly hindered him in some of his other appearances.

Sunderland prescribed two weeks’ rest and treatment and manager Steve Bruce has told the Black Cats’ official website his summer signing should now be fit to play in Saturday’s game, which will mark the 130th anniversary of the Wearside club.

Bruce will still be sweating on the fitness of Cattermole’s midfield partner Lorik Cana, who is due to captain Albania in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

Opposite number Rafael Benitez looks set to have by far the more fretful week, however.

The early indications are Gerrard’s international omission is a mere precaution for a game in which Fabio Capello is expected to experiment with his line-up.