Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has defended Lee Cattermole after a blast from Tottenham rival Harry Redknapp over his challenge on Luka Modric.

Cattermole has already been sent off twice this season for two bookable offences and has gained something of a reputation, although one which Bruce insists has been unfairly attributed to him.

The footage he produced showed that the midfielder made firm contact with the ball and then caught Modric as his foot bounced up off it.

Bruce said: "Now, I don't want to see Modric injured, but I have got to disagree with Harry. For me, it's not a ridiculous tackle, it's a fair one and a good one.

"Unfortunately, there are grey areas now. If you tackle like this, 10 years ago everyone in the ground would applaud and say what a fantastic tackle.

"Now all of a sudden, there's a grey area and people say, 'Well, you got the man as well'. Well, if you tackle on the floor, you are always going to make contact with the man.

"But as long as you play the ball and don't go over the top of the ball, then for me, it is a good challenge.

"It's why the Premier League is watched all around the world, that physical element you don't see anywhere else, and that's what makes it the spectacle.

"That's how difficult it is. I think it's fair, but there you go. I think you are wrong, Harry."