LEE CATTERMOLE faces a battle to play again this season after Sunderland manager David Moyes revealed the tough-tackling midfielder has suffered further frustration on the injury front.

The Black Cats welcome back goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Everton, while he admitted Jan Kirchhoff will not be risked at this stage despite training this week after respective cruciate ligament problems.

But the good news was tempered by another blow to Cattermole, who has only played three times this season and the last of those was the September defeat to Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light.

The Teessider has been recovering from a hip problem all season and had started running as a return had neared. However, he has now suffered an Achilles problem and it is touch and go whether he will play again this season.

“Because Cattermole has been running I think he has got a sore Achilles and he had an injection in it,” said Moyes. “He is recovering from his hip but he is trying to get over the period of getting injured and getting back, I don’t think it will necessarily be a quick return.

“I don’t want to say that he won’t play again this season, and with the way the fixtures have gone with the cups we may find there’s a batch of games at the end of April.

“Perhaps that may help us because we might be able to get Victor Anichebe back, we could maybe get Catts back and we certainly hope Kirchhoff will be back. It might be to our advantage.”

Cattermole has been rocked by a series of injuries throughout the year, and Moyes added: “Cattermole has been mainly training with the physios so I have not been having day to day contact with him all of the time.

“He has been with the physios and fitness coaches. I have not heard how his injection went because he was getting it yesterday. We think it is to do with all of the running he has been doing.”

Sunderland are looking for a boost on the results front too when they head to Everton. A surprise victory over the Toffees could see the men from Wearside climb off the foot of the table and even out of the relegation zone.

Moyes is weighing up whether to throw Pickford back into the side instead of Vito Mannone.

And the Sunderland boss said: “Jordan Pickford has had a full week’s training. Jan Kirchhoff has trained but not ready to play yet. He’s just had his first few steps, has trained three or four days this week.

“Victor is out of his brace and will start some work without that now. Jack Rodwell is starting to run today for the first time. Steven Pienaar has felt his calf a little in training. That’s roughly where we are. Jordan is in squad.”