Cattermole has been dismissed twice in five Sunderland games this season

Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has revealed the personal anguish he suffered after his dismissal in the 1-1 draw at Wigan earlier this month.

The 22-year-old was suspended for the 1-1 draw with Arsenal amid calls for the player to be stripped of the captaincy at the Stadium of Light.

"It's been a long month really, lots of lonely times wondering and thinking," Cattermole told BBC Newcastle.

"It's been awful for my family and everyone, I've been gutted really."

Cattermole's dismissal was his second in five games at Sunderland this season, but with the public support of manager Steve Bruce, the Middlesbrough-born midfielder made his return in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.

"I knew what I was doing and where I wanted to go, and how hard I was working on the training pitch.

"Everything I was doing was right, so I knew if I just kept going things were going to turn for me and I think they have and I've put it all behind me now."

Manchester United travel to Sunderland on Saturday, although Cattermole expects his team-mates to be ready for the test against Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"These games aren't a problem for us, if you look at the Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool [games], we've been brilliant," Cattermole continued.

"Players get up for them so easily, they want to play against the best players, big crowds and things like that.

"These games aren't a problem, we just need to focus, do what we've been doing in the last few games and I think we'll have a good chance on Saturday.

"They'll have had two hard away games by the time Saturday comes with Valencia on Wednesday, so if we do what we've done in the last few games I think we'll get something."

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