SUNDERLAND captain Lee Cattermole is relishing the prospect of leading his side out at St James’ Park, but insists the Black Cats must not be overawed by the occasion in Sunday’s derby.

Although this will be his first Tyne and Wear encounter, Cattermole is no stranger to derbies after he made his debut for Middlesbrough in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle as a 17-year-old.

With the Black Cats on a seven-match unbeaten run and Newcastle winning last weekend, Sunday’s game is set up to be an interesting affair.

Although confidence is sky high on Wearside, Cattermole insists the Black Cats must not get distracted by the hype surrounding the game.

“In a derby there are going to be tackles going in, just like any game,” Cattermole, with two red cards to his name already this season, said “The game is getting built up all the time, we’ve just got to go there and concentrate on how we can win the game and that’s by playing football like we have been in the last six or seven games. I think we’ve been brilliant.

“When you start a game you want to make an impression as early as you can, just to get involved.

“The longer the game goes on without getting a touch, a tackle or any involvement, it feels as though it’s passing you by.

“We’ve probably got the strongest squad Sunderland have had in a long time.

“We’re playing really well at the moment, our confidence is high and we’ll be going there looking to come back with three points.

“Newcastle’s home form has not been the best. Away from home, they’ve had some good wins, so they’re obviously a good team and if they get it right on Sunday, it will be tough, but we’re full of confidence and seven unbeaten is a massive achievement.”

Bruce is likely to name the same side that beat Aston Villa last weekend, which means there will be only two survivors from the last Tyne and Wear derby – Phil Bardsley and Steed Malbrangue.

Cattermole will be in the same position as the majority of his side, who have yet to experience a Tyne and Wear derby and the midfielder has warned his team-mates they must stay calm and not let the intimidating atmosphere at St James’ get on top of them.

“I remember it (debut), I was 17 and I ended up getting man of the match,’’ he recalled.

“I always manage to block hostile atmospheres out.

“Once the whistle starts I just concentrate on the games and our opponents. I don’t really think about the crowd.

“I think when everyone gets to the ground and hears the reception we’re going to get on arriving, that’s when those who haven’t experienced a derby before will take it all in.

“Everyone has been talking about it all the time at events we’ve been going to as a team.

I think we’ve got quite a lot of new lads who haven’t experience this fixture.

“In fact, I haven’t. I played for Boro in a few derbies against them, but they say that is nothing like this. I’m new to it all.

“We’re just going to go out there and as long as we can stay calm and play exactly like we have been I think we’ll be okay. a “You need a bit of luck. St James’ is a big pitch, but if we can continue playing our football with that extra pass in midfield and do what we’ve been doing, I think we’ve got a good chance.”

Born in Stockton-on-Tees, Cattermole is no stranger to the enormity of derbies and understands exactly what it means to the fans.

“Obviously, this one is more for the fans. It’s a big game for them, because the places are so close, everyone works with Sunderland or Newcastle fans,” the 22-yearold said.

“Just to be able to go into work the next day, knowing your team won, you know you’ve got the upper hand until the next fixture.

“The lads know about the importance of this game and if we can make the fans happy, then that’s great.”