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The midfield hardman joined the Black Cats from Wigan in 2009 when Steve Bruce was in charge at the Stadium of Light and has since served under another four managers with a fifth set to be appointed this summer.

He was close to joining Stoke 18 months ago only for ex-boss Gus Poyet to pull the plug on the deal at the 11th hour and since then, the Teessider, 27, has produced the best form of his career, winning North East Footballer of the Year in 2014.

Stoke are understood to be still keen but despite this lack of stability on the managerial front, Cattermole is settled at Sunderland and ready to commit his long-term future to the club.

He is one of four players entering the last year of their contracts but the futures of Steven Fletcher, Danny Graham and Adam Johnson are less clear.

With a court case hanging over him - he stands trial on charges of sexual activity with an underage girl in August - Johnson's situation won't be resolved during the close season.

And strikers Fletcher and Graham will wait until a new manager comes in before making any decisions.

Fletcher, who has scored just eight goals in the past two seasons, is on the radar of relegated Hull and Scottish champions Celtic.

And Graham's former club Middlesbrough could turn to the Geordie with Aitor Karanka resigned to missing out on another loan deal for Patrick Bamford after missing out on promotion.