Cattermole out for a month with muscle tear

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman has been rocked by news that Lee Cattermole will miss the festive period with a muscle tear.

The former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder had been due to return from a one-match suspension for today’s Sky Bet Championship clash at home to bottom club Birmingham City.

But the 29-year-old (pictured) has now been ruled out for a month, and will miss, among other games, the return to former club Boro for the FA Cup third round tie on January 6.

Coleman will be buoyed by the fitness of left-back Bryan Oviedo, however, with the Costa Rican international one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.

He will not start against Birmingham, but could play some part off the bench.

Coleman also revealed that Jack Rodwell and Lamine Kone are progressing well as they look to return from injury.

He said: “Lee Cattermole’s out for a month with a tear in his thigh muscle. We got him scanned on Thursday and the results weren’t good so we’ll lose him for a month.

“Bryan’s back. He’s not fit to start but he’s fit to play a part, it may be another week for Paddy (McNair).

“Duncan (Watmore) and Jonny (Williams) are a bit longer-term. Lamine Kone is doing very well and could be back for the start of January.

“Jack Rodwell is training very well with Lamby and the medical boys who are pushing him to the max. He’s been training very well. There’s some positives, some negatives.”

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy has promised not to park the bus when he returns to former club Wolves today hoping to dent their Championship title quest.

But the former Sunderland boss admitted: “They look the best team in the league for me so it will be a tough afternoon.”