Michael Gray: 'Lee Cattermole should be stripped of captaincy'

Former Sunderland defender Michael Gray has urged Martin O'Neill to reconsider Lee Cattermole's position as club captain.

The midfielder drew criticism from his manager after being sent off in the victory over MK Dons on Tuesday and Gray believes that it is "time for a change".

The 38-year-old said: "You need 11 players on the field to win matches.

"They gave Lee the armband to settle him down, but it hasn't. This was looked at last season. I'm sure Martin will look at it again.

"O'Neill has got experienced players at the club like John O'Shea so maybe it might be time for a change."

Cattermole has been defended by teammate Craig Gardner following the fifth red card of the 24-year-old's career.