Defoe: Cattermole key figure in Black Cats’ dressing room

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has hailed the dressing room influence of Lee Cattermole whilst he recovered from a hip injury which forced him to miss six months of the season.

Cattermole started Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with West Ham last time out and Defoe believes the former Middlesbrough midfielder has come back stronger ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with his former employers.

Cattermole has been at Sunderland since 2009 but came through the junior ranks at Middlesbrough.

The Black Cats – nine points from safety at the foot of the Premier League table – will hope to draw on the experience of Cattermole and Defoe when they face the fellow strugglers tomorrow evening at the Riverside Stadium.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

“We have missed him and we have been unlucky with injuries this season,” said Defoe.

“With Catts (Cattermole), he is a key figure in the dressing room and has been here for years and understands.

“To have him back is really good. I just feel that he has done really well since he got back.

“To come back and get that level of fitness as the other boys is difficult but he is that type of character. He is mentally strong and gives everything – especially in training.

“Because he does that it feels good to have him back and to have him back is really important for the team.”