Craig Gardner defends Lee Cattermole

Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner has leapt to the defence of fellow Black Cats midfielder Lee Cattermole following his dismissal against Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday.

Cattermole, 24, was dismissed for the fifth time in his Sunderland career in the League Cup third-round victory, but Gardner has refused to criticise his teammate.

"He's the last person in the world who wants to get sent off. He was rock-bottom in the dressing room afterwards and everyone was trying to pick him up," he told the Sunderland Echo.

Cattermole joined Sunderland from Wigan Athletic in 2009.