Reports: Cattermole To Get New Deal At Sunderland

Multiple reports have emerged in the national press that Lee Cattermole is to be granted a new contract at Sunderland this summer as Martin O'Neill looks to secure the services of his captain.

This is something that has been speculated for some months now, so should the reports turn out to be true, it certainly wouldn't be unexpected.

Cattermole has just one year left on the Sunderland deal he signed three years ago after following Steve Bruce from Wigan, and was unquestionably one of the players who felt the benefit most of Martin O'Neill's appointment last season.

There certainly seems to be a lot of mutual respect between manager and captain. Having seen the Stockton-born player put in a tremendously dogged performance against Manchester City at the Stadium of Light in January, O'Neill declared that Cattermole had 'the heart of a lion', whilst the player himself has recently voiced his 'excitement' ahead of the new season.

But is he worth a new contract? Despite often struggling with both injury and discipline, we'd have to say that yes, he is worth it.

Although he seems to have been around forever, it is often easy to forget that Cattermole is only 24-years-old. That means his best years are very much ahead of him. In addition to that, he is actually a pretty decent player. He isn't eye-catching, and he will never be much of an influence in the final third, but there is certainly considerable value to be found in his defensive work, and O'Neill was quick to note the player's leadership qualities last term.

Chiefly, though, I'd just love to see him shove the words of his many ignorant detractors out there firmly down their throats. I am not talking about Sunderland fans here - although he can divide opinion there at times - but the plethora of fans of other clubs who see him make one bad tackle on Match of the Day, condemn it on reputation alone whilst labelling the player a talentless clogger, and demand the player be hanged immediately. Those people.

Here's hoping the reports are accurate and he gets the opportunity to do just that.

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Should Lee Cattermole get a new contract at Sunderland, or is this time time to cut him loose and cash in? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below and cast your vote in the poll.