'Distraught' Lee Cattermole still clinging on to Sunderland captaincy

Steve Bruce has still to make up his mind about whether or not to strip Lee Cattermole of the Sunderland captaincy but appears to be veering towards giving the combative midfielder a last chance. "I haven't decided," said Bruce when asked if Cattermole would be retaining the armband in the wake of his two red cards in three appearances this season. The most recent, for two bookable offences, came at Wigan last Saturday and the England Under-21 international is now suspended for two games. Sunderland's manager hopes he will use the spare time to resolve to turn over a new leaf. "Lee has to change, as players with disciplinary problems have before," said Bruce who signed Cattermole for £6m from Wigan in the summer of 2009 and now trusts this latest transgression will prove a watershed. "I remember Patrick Vieira was sent off in back-to-back games for Arsenal and that made him learn," he added. "I sincerely hope Lee has also now learned. The lad was distraught after the game on Saturday. I certainly hope this is the turning point for the kid. I hope we are talking about Lee Cattermole for the right reasons from now onwards." Cattermole, also sent off at home to Birmingham on the season's opening day, will miss Saturday's visit of Arsenal followed by the Carling Cup tie against West Ham at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.