Gus Poyet challenges Sunderland to cope without Lee Cattermole

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has challenged his squad to fill the void left by Lee Cattermole in their Premier League match with Everton on Sunday.

The Black Cats are without their influential midfielder for the visit of the Toffees to the Stadium of Light, with Cattermole suspended after picking up five bookings.

Poyet feels that the 26-year-old's absence will test the mentality of his side and is looking for other players to step forward and lead from the front.

He told reporters: "It is a good opportunity for me to see the team without Lee Cattermole, because that's another thing we need to change.

"He has something the other players don't have - the intensity, the work, the desire and even sometimes pushing other players and making us play to the higher tempo we need.

"We need to see if we can find that single player, or a different way to play without him."

Cattermole has started for the Wearside outfit in every one of their 10 top-flight games so far this season.