Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has urged midfielder Lee Cattermole to harness his tackling when they meet Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.

The Black Cats hardman has been sent off twice already this season and Bruce is eager for him to put the tackling boots away and concentrate on winning the ball according to Cattermole himself.

"After the second sending off, the manager didn't say one word to me until the day before the Liverpool game," said Cattermole.

"Then he came up and said 'I don't want you to make a tackle tomorrow. If you have to pull out of a challenge, do so. I need you to play games by being on the pitch. Just your presence on the pitch'.

"I listened to him and went out and did that. It was hard because I do like to make tackles. Sometimes you see the ball and just want to get there.

"Since serving my ban, I've barely committed any fouls. I'm not counting, but it's certainly not many. I'm working on it, concentrating on my game."