Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole insists he's never feared losing the captaincy this season.

The combative midfielder picked up the FIFTH red card of his Black Cats career back in September, earning him an unwanted place in the record books alongside Gary Bennett as the men who have been sent off the most times in Sunderland colours.

Cattermole admitted: "I never really gave it [losing the captaincy] a second thought.

"Since the gaffer came in, he has given me a new contract and kept me as captain.

"He's made it pretty clear to me that he wants me as captain of the team.

"I've done the job for a couple of years now, and even if I wasn't wearing the armband it wouldn't change things in any way."