Sunday 22 February 2015 14:29, UK
Lee Cattermole wants to be the driving force behind a Sunderland resurgence as the Black Cats attempt to spark another successful Premier League survival fight.
Cattermole returned after a 10-game injury lay-off to provide fresh impetus as Sunderland were controversially denied a much-needed Premier League win over West Brom.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet felt West Brom defender Joleon Lescott should have been sent off for a fifth-minute foul on Danny Graham and he was upset that Adam Johnson had a goal ruled out for offside during the scrappy 0-0 draw.
Cattermole side-stepped suggestions that his unavailability because of groin and knee injuries had impacted heavily on Sunderland but vowed to use his leadership to help the club up the table.
He said: "If that's what people want to say, that's fine. I believe I bring something to the team - I think I could bring something to most teams.
I'd like to think I am back now and I want to push on and I want to finish the season strongly.
"I'd like to think I help players on the pitch, that's a key asset for me. I like to think I drive players on and get more out of them.
"That's one of my strong attributes and if that's been missed, it's been missed. But I'd like to think I am back now and I want to push on and I want to finish the season strongly."
Cattermole's return could hardly be more timely for Poyet after back-to-back 2-0 defeats by league rivals QPR and League One Bradford in the FA Cup fifth round had cast a pall over Wearside.
The former Middlesbrough and Wigan man could only look on helplessly as a chance to go one better than last season's Capital One Cup final appearance went begging, but he will not allow himself or his team-mates to dwell upon a missed opportunity.
He said: "It killed me watching the Bradford game. I was really disappointed on the back of last season and being so close to winning the Capital One Cup.
"That was something I really felt we could go and push on and get a good draw. It would have kept our season really alive, it would have kept a real buzz.
"But now we have got to push on and put every bit of focus on the league because it's such a tough division and it's proving to be really hard work."
