Boss is yet to decide on who will be leading man
JACK Ross has yet to decide who will wear the captain’s armband in Sunderland promotion push - but says Lee Cattermole and George Honeyman have staked strong claims in pre-season, writes JAMES HUNTER.
Cattermole is the Black Cats’ longest-serving player and was vicecaptain last term, when John O’Shea was the regular skipper.
He captained the side in Sunderland’s opening pre-season game at Darlington in midweek.
When Honeyman replaced Cattermole on the hour at Blackwell Meadows, the captaincy was handed to Adam Matthews.
However, in Saturday’s friendly at Hartlepool United, when Cattermole, Honeyman and Matthews were all in the starting XI, it was academy product Honeyman who was given the honour.
Ross said: “I think the circumstances of the games have meant the two guys have been the natural fit for it in the two games.
“It is something we will assess as the pre-season goes on but both those players who have worn the armband I cannot ask any more of in terms of how they have been.
“They have been positive around the training pitch and in the communications I have had with them. I cannot speak highly enough of the two of them in that respect.
“I can only judge them on how they have been with me and they have both been terrific in how they have driven things on the training pitch.”
Ross’ squad remains a work in progress and it remains to be seen whether either Cattermole or Honeyman are still on Wearside come the start of the season, both having been linked with moves away during the summer.
With a number of new signings still expected before the transfer window closes on August 9, it may be the man who ends up wearing the armband has not yet arrived.