Flippin sicknotes, perhaps cattermole twinged his back picking up to many pints, fairies LEE Cattermole has urged Sunderlandâs medical team to find a solution to the clubâs injury woes during the close season. Sunderlandâs players had more sick days than any other Premier League club this season, with their injury absentees missing a combined total of 2001 days. Skipper Cattermole spent his fair share on the treatment table after missing three months with a stress fracture to the back â a problem that recurred earlier this month and ruled the 23-year-old out of the final three games of the campaign. Cattermole will undergo a scan next week to ascertain the damage to his back, with the former Middlesbrough midfielder desperate to participate in his first full pre-season campaign with Sunderland. But Cattermole realises there is a bigger issue which needs to be addressed after injuries ruined Sunderlandâs top six challenge over the second half of the season. He told the Echo: âItâs something weâve got to look at. âWhatever weâre doing thatâs caused these injuries, we need to stop it because it doesnât help the team or the momentum of the game. âItâs not good for the lads either when you see people having to coming off. âWeâve got to concentrate on making sure everyoneâs right to go out on a Saturday and help the team.â The one plus point of Sunderlandâs catalogue of injuries has been the rise to prominence of Cattermoleâs fellow central midfielder Jack Colback. The 21-year-old will return to pre-season training as an integral part of Steve Bruceâs first-team squad after shining in the final six games of the campaign. Cattermole believes he can form an effective partnership alongside Colback, with both possessing the energy needed to press the opposition and get from box to box. âThereâs a decent squad here with some good young players who are itching to get in the squad,â added Cattermole. âPeople like Colback have come in and done magnificently. âThereâs no doubting Jackâs ability â heâs a great footballer. âPlaying alongside me will help him to make the most of the drive heâs got too. âOur manager wants us to play a pressing game. It suits the Premier League because itâs a quick game and you need to get up and down the pitch.â
I personally think Catts will be first choice regardless of Meyler and Colback - I like them both but Catts is a better player all around. I believe when Catts played last season we kept more clean sheets than when he didn't - he made more blocking tackles to deny potential opportunities than any other midfielder in our entire squad - think that tells a lot. I like Catts - he'll be a big part if fully fit and a very good player all in all
I like Catts but so far he has just been another Whitehead, he needs more to his game such as passing and control on the ball, the good thing though is that he is only 21 so plenty time to turn into the next Scholesy
Agree, W,T.F. That's a ridiculous figure for any club. Maybe the first new signing this summer should be Short bringing in a U.S. fitness coach - did you ever see a U.S. athlete not superbly fit? Bruce, Black & co are missing something here and a guy like that would work it out and just leave football coaching to them.
Highly unlikely but could it be the blades as opposed to studs in the boots now. Most of our injuries caused by twisting & turning. Just a thought. Is this SB's medical team. If so have these problems happened at previously managed clubs. If they have sack them.
Catts injures himself while trying to injure others, the problem is, a little like Scholsey he can't tackle a fish supper and ends up injnured. Love his desire and enthusiasm though and think if fit he will be first choice for Bruce.
There is a lot of this " have some rep" mullarky creeping onto this board: we are beginning to sound like bloody Skunks!
