Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has insisted that Lee Cattermole has been welcomed back into the fold, but he will be knocked back if he fails to abide by the Italian's rules.

There were doubts over the 25-year-old's future at the Stadium of Light after he was left out of the Black Cats' pre-season trip to Hong Kong, as well as stripped of his number six shirt.

"I don't have prejudice and now that he's back with us, I treat him like the most important player in the squad, but he has to follow my regime, he has to stay in my circle," Di Canio told the Shields Gazette. "If he is going to jump out, he can't stay with me."

The Black Cats are preparing to take on Arsenal on home turf tomorrow.

Written by
Danielle Joynson