LEE CATTERMOLE is fit to return to the Sunderland team at Crystal Palace this Monday after a trip to Germany to see the renowned specialist described as “the master” by Sam Allardyce.

Cattermole was forced off in the first half of the defeat at Everton on November 1 through injury and the Black Cats have been trying to find the root cause of the problem.

And after visiting Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfhart – who has famously helped a long list of players such as Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate – in Munich during the international break, Cattermole feels happier with the injury, with Allardyce describing it as an “impingement on the nerve” rather than a slipped disc.

The Sunderland boss said: “Lee is alright and he is available. He has had enough treatment and been to see a specialist in Germany who has made him feel a little bit better, Muller-Wohlfahrt … the master.

“With the specialist here and Hans, he has recovered and the good thing that came out of the international break is that he hasn’t really missed a game.

“We have used Hans for donkeys’ years because he is so good. He is so accomplished at what he does. It is not a normal way of treatment sometimes, it can be a bit quirky but it gives players so much confidence when they meet him. He has got him fit.

“It has now been relieved and hopefully it is gone for a good deal of time now. The problem was a nerve pressing against the disc in his lower back.”

With Cattermole fit to face the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Monday, Allardyce must decide whether to throw him straight into midfield. He also revealed that none of his squad’s internationals have picked up any other injuries on duty with their country.

That means John O’Shea, who made his comeback from a hamstring problem in the last few minutes of the Euro 2016 play-off with Bosnia, is fit to face Palace and boost Sunderland’s defensive options.

He said: “All the international players came back fit and then there is joy for a few of them after qualifying.”