Steve Bruce has backed Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole to recapture his early season form despite a poor display against Fulham.
The former Wigan and Middlesbrough player was substituted just 10 minutes into the second half of the Black Cats 0-0 draw with the Cottagers.
Cattermole has struggled with injuries after a blistering start to the season and seems to be struggling to get back to his best.
Bruce has now ruled out the possibility of Cattermole still being injured and has backed him to rediscover his form soon.
"Cattermole is 100% fit, but he is not long back after a serious knee injury," said Bruce.
"He's only 21 and he's missed three months of the season.
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He's working as hard as anybody can but he's obviously finding it a little bit of a struggle at the moment.
"He's only completed seven full games as we go into March.
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Cattermole was the driving force behind this team two or three months ago, but I'm a big believer that, however long you are out, it takes you that long to get back."