Martin O'Neill: Lee Cattermole 'still Sunderland captain'

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has said that Lee Cattermole will remain the club's captain despite his recent arrest.

Cattermole and teammate Nicklas Bendtner were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of alleged criminal damage near local rival Newcastle's Sports Direct Arena before being released on police bail.

However, O'Neill insists that Cattermole will captain the side if he starts.

"If Lee plays in the team, he will be captain," he said. "I stress, at this minute, I don't see any reason to change it.

"Lee is as wholehearted as they come. Even in the little training sessions that we've had, he's vociferous. We might have, generally, a quiet team, but that isn't really unusual any more."

Sunderland travel to White Hart Lane this weekend to face Tottenham.