GUS POYET has admitted Sunderland have received an impressive offer from Stoke City for midfielder Lee Cattermole.

Cattermole, who was at the Black Cats' training ground this morning but did not train because he is nursing a calf problem, has been the subject of interest from Stoke during the last week.

And Poyet is not sure what will happen in the remaining hours of the transfer window.

The Sunderland boss said: “we were expecting not to do any business today except if there was an incredible opportunity either way, which always appears for different reasons.

“From the beginning of the morning, we started to deal with the Lee Cattermole situation. I am late because in the last few hours we have got to a really impressive point.

“The offer and the situation is not easy. Nothing is finalised. It is still ongoing.

“I don't know what will happen. There are too many things involved. There are many, many things. It is a difficult situation for me as a manager.

“In my mind I had a team, a squad, but at no time did i think I would be talking about Lee Cattermole today. It is simple. I would like to keep the group of people I have here.”