Cats star Lee's three-month KO.

Byline: JAMES HUNTER 

STEVE BRUCE today confirmed that Lee Cattermole will be out of action for three months with knee ligament damage.

Former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder Cattermole was stretchered off just before the hour mark in Sunderland's 1-0 win over Liverpool at the Stadium of Light at the weekend.

He underwent a scan yesterday which confirmed that he has damaged his medial ligament, rather than the cruciate ligament which would sideline him for much longer.

Black Cats boss Bruce said: "We think it will be at least 12 weeks for Catts - he's done his medial ligament.

"It's not good news, but it's the best we could have hoped for because we were all praying he had not done his cruciate and damaged cartilage, which thankfully he hasn't, but he's still out for the best part of three months.

"You feel for the boy because he''s had a great start here and has epitomised what we''re about and why we brought him here."

Losing a key player such as Cattermole for an extended period will come as a blow to Bruce, as his tigerish midfield displays have played a major part in Sunderland's earlyseason form which sees the Black Cats currently sitting in seventh place in the table.

With a trip to Birmingham looming at the weekend, Bruce does at least have several options in terms of a replacement for Cattermole.

Along with new boy Bolo Zenden, Kieran Richardson is eligible again after missing the Liverpool game through suspension while youngster Jordan Henderson has made a big impact since being given his first-team chance.

Bruce added: "We will miss Catts, but we have others who can step in. Jordan comes to mind; he came on against Liverpool and was terrific.

"It is your worst nightmare losing someone like Catts, especially with the size of the squad, but we can overcome it."

There was better news on Kenwyne Jones, also stretchered off at the weekend.

The Trinidad & Tobago striker suffered a badly twisted ankle and went to hospital on Saturday for a precautionary X-ray, which showed that there are no broken bones.

But he is still rated no more than 50-50 for Sunderland's trip to Birmingham on Saturday.

Bruce said: "We don't think Kenwyne is too bad. He has swelling on his ankle and will be touch and go for the weekend, but could be OK."

George McCartney went off at half-time on Saturday after falling ill but should be fit to face Birmingham.

Meanwhile, new signing Zenden - who replaced Cattermole against Liverpool - has spoken of his delight at making his Sunderland debut against his former club.

The Dutchman said: "I had to come on a bit quicker than expected, I wasn't warmed up properly, but it was good to get on against my old team in front of a sell-out crowd."

SUNDERLAND'S reserve game against Liverpool, due to take place tonight, has been put back 24 hours. The game will now take place at Tranmere's Prenton Park tomorrow (7pm).

CAPTION(S):

BIG BLOW: Lee Cattermole in action on Saturday before sustaining a knee ligament injury