Stockton born midfielder Lee Cattermole is reported to be on Steve Bruce's wanted list.Cattermole was originally offered a contract with Sunderland when he was just 16 years old but turned it down to complete his GCSE's. He was then picked up by his home team Middlesbrough's Academy, he broke into Middlesbrough's first team squad in June 2006 making his debut against now Championship team Newcastle United.
He signed for Wigan in July 2008 for 3.5 million, although he is only 21 years old he has quickly became know for his hard man style of play and tough tackling, putting convicted thug and Newcastle player Joey Barton in hospital, then breaking Habib Beye ankle on Boxing day 2008 and more recently putting Middlesbrough's Didier Digard out on the sidelines for 12 weeks.
Cattermole could be exactly what Sunderland needs to bring some 'steel' to the current squad which they where seriously lacking last season. The idea of coming back to his native North-East and working under Steve Bruce again could quite well tempt Lee to take the right offer.