Lee Cattermole gives Cats a boost ahead of Reds’ visit

Oct 14 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Quite apart from the concern over his talismanic captain and chief creative force, though, Benitez will not see fellow central midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva until very late in the week.

The Argentinian will be representing his country in a crucial World Cup qualifier which kicks off in Uruguay at 11pm tonight our time, while Lucas is in Brazil’s squad for their game against Venezuela at the same time.

It is the same problem facing Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones and Paulo Da Silva, who are with Trinidad and Tobago and Paraguay respectively, but the Black Cats are better covered in their positions than Liverpool are for their trio of central midfielders. The Reds hope to have £17m summer signing Alberto Aquilani available to make his long-awaited debut at the Stadium of Light, but if he is not deemed match-fit enough to start after months of niggling injuries there are few other options available to Benitez in terms of senior players.

It is not only in midfield where Benitez has concerns, with the fitness of Fernando Torres a burning issue on Merseyside all week. Sunderland’s biggest area of concern this week is at left-back.

Kieran Richardson is suspended after his red card against Manchester United, while George McCartney injured his foot on international duty. Ghanaian defender John Mensah is recovering from a calf problem which kept him out of the Old Trafford clash.

However, Bruce will not allow his predicament to make him rush a decision over Boudewijn Zenden.

The Dutch international is in the second week of a two-week trial and the Black Cats are determined to let it run its course before deciding whether to hand the free agent a contract. If he does sign, the former Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona player would be expected to provide cover at left-back and also in midfield.