Lee Cattermole is one of the highest earners at Sunderland and as such, his future has been up in the air this summer. 

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Manager Jack Ross has moved to allay some of the speculation, explaining why Cattermole is still in his first team plans ahead of the big kick off against Charlton Athletic.

"I take players as a find them, and his [Cattermole’s] attitude in training every single day has been outstanding," he told the Sunderland Echo. “He puts himself in the firing line whether it be in training or on the pitch, so that’s a very different scenario."

Cattermole, who was classed as 'not part of the problem' by former manager Chris Coleman, is gearing up for his first ever season in the third tier, but Ross continued to speaking in glowing terms of his relationship with the 30-year old.

“The relationship we have is good, our dialogue is good. As long as Lee is part of my squad and displays the attitude that he has, then he’ll always be part of that. I can’t speak highly enough of him in that respect.”

Cattermole has represented Sunderland 225 times in all competitions and this season will be only his second outside England's top flight.

The Verdict

It's interesting to think that a player of Cattermole's ability will be up against the likes of Gillingham and Wycombe this season, but it will certainly test the character that Ross speaks so highly of.

With the hours ticking away in the transfer window, Sunderland would surely like to find a buyer but if they don't perhaps he is one of the few from the last couple of years they can rely on to get his head down and fight for the shirt.