After playing for years with a torn hip, the Sunderland midfielder is back to full fitness and ready for a League One play-off final date with CharltonIt is a cool March night at the Stadio Olimpico in 2006, Middlesbrough have just eliminated Roma from Europe and Italian reporters ask their English counterparts a single question. “Lee Cattermole,” they inquire. “The new Steven Gerrard, yes?”Fast-forward 13 years to a sunny May lunchtime in Sunderland and Cattermole smiles at the memory. “We ended up in the Uefa Cup final, losing to Sevilla, and then Steve McClaren got the England job,” he says. “That’s football, eh …” Related: Michael Gray: 'All people want to hear about is that bloody penalty' Related: Sunderland book League One final spot after cagey draw with Portsmouth Continue readingreadfullarticle
