SAM ALLARDYCE thinks Lee Cattermole justified his recall to Sunderland’s starting line-up even though the man he replaced did nothing wrong to be left out of the side.

Jack Rodwell had started three games in a row and enjoyed his best spell of form since arriving from Manchester City in a £10m move in August 2014.

Rodwell’s performances at Sunderland have been restricted severely since heading for Wearside because of a number of injury problems which have affected his fitness and form.

But it was a surprise when he was left out of as West Bromwich Albion made the trip to the Stadium of Light, when Cattermole was thrust back into the thick of the relegation fight.

Sunderland drew for the fourth game in a row and Cattermole’s tenacity in the middle helped the home side dictate play only to be let down by a failure to score.

Allardyce now faces a huge decision when leaders Leicester City head to the North-East on Sunday, with Rodwell and Yann M’Vila likely to be competing to start alongside the impressive Cattermole.

“Jack’s had his best run of performances since he joined the club but, for me, Catts just provided that energy that drives on the rest of the team. It was the first time I’ve taken a player out of the side who didn’t deserve to be out,” said Allardyce.

“Jack’s performances and his stats haven’t dropped but I just thought Catts was the man. On his performance, everybody would say I picked the right team and the right tactics.”

Despite Cattermole’s return Sunderland still failed to give their fight to stay up a boost by collecting three points for only the second time in ten matches.

The draw, coupled with Newcastle’s defeat at Norwich, means that Sunderland trail the Canaries by four points with a game in hand. The sides go head-to-head at Carrow Road on April 16.

Jonny Evans, the West Brom defender who was on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United during the 2006-07 promotion winning season, still fancies his former club to be playing in the Premier League next season.

Evans said: “I fancy them to stay up. I said that a couple of weeks ago. Norwich beat us and beat Newcastle, but I think Sunderland have got a good strong team and you can see they’re organised.

“They missed quite a lot of chances against us, which I’m sure is a positive for them because at least they are creating chances and I think they’ll score goals.

“I’ve got an affection for the club and I don’t think that will ever go away. It was an enjoyable time of my life. I was young and just coming into the team, it was where I played my first league football in England. It was a great experience and I loved it.

“The fans have always welcomed me really well whenever I’ve come back. Staying up would be massive for them. You saw the atmosphere they generated, it was very good and put the referee under pressure right from the first minute and you need that.

“I think the Sunderland fans know they have a big part to play in keeping Sunderland up. They had a tough run-in last year and managed to get out of it.

“It’s a shame they’ve been involved in relegation battles for the last few years, but I do believe with the manager they have in charge, if they can stay up and get stabilised, they will be set up for a good season in the Premier League next year.”