THERE is a view that Lee Cattermole has to work on cleaning up his disciplinary act if he is ever going to force his way in top the England squad, based on a reputation he has created for himself since emerging as a teenager in the Premier League a decade ago.

Rightly or wrongly, Cattermole knows about how he is perceived throughout football because of the number of times he has worked his way in to a referee’s notebook. Seven Premier League red cards is not something any player should be proud of, particularly at the age of just 26, and that is not to mention a huge list of cautions.

He has also had his fair share of off the field problems which have hardly helped matters, but those who know him will attest that he is not the football bad-boy that he is often portrayed, even if he still has some work to do to win over a long line of doubters ready to criticise him.

Cattermole was a top-flight footballer at a very young age; since he was handed his Middlesbrough debut by Steve McClaren in the Tyne-Tees derby at St James’ Park against Newcastle on New Year’s Day in 2006. Perhaps he had too much, too young, but he has gone on to start more than 200 games in the Premier League.

He said: “The experiences I had as a 17-year-old will stand me in good stead and I feel I'm coming to a good time in my career because of what happened in the past. I had great times at Boro and the manager needed me at the time.

“I have got a girlfriend now and I have settled down a bit, but I have always prepared right for games. I have always taken my football very seriously, but when I was younger I wasn't as calm on the pitch as I could have been. Things also happened off the pitch which got blown out of proportion. I am more focused now and feel I am at a good time in my career.”

When Cattermole received the last of his red cards at Hull City last November for a challenge which left Ahmed Elmohamady with a split boot, one of his biggest fans was even critical of him.

Steve Bruce, the manager who signed him for both Wigan and Sunderland, stated that “thankfully, he’s not mine to manage anymore” before warning him that “he had to learn” and that he would “eventually”.

Ten months later Cattermole is yet to pick up his eighth red card. Given his style of play, that is likely to arrive at some point but he is determined not to make it for a rush of blood to the head.

“You just grow up a bit don't you?” said the 26-year-old. “What is important is that you go through ups and downs and eventually you work out what helps you bring about a consistent level of performance. That's what I'm trying to do.

“I'm trying to find that consistent level for 30 to 35 games. I don't want to be the best player one week and the worst the next. I'm trying to be a good solid performer every week. I feel I'm at that level now.

“My weekly pattern is becoming more regular. I think that is all down to being a bit older. I’m no longer a 20-year-old. I've been around a long time now. I just think sometimes you are just not old enough to be in the position you are in. It takes time to figure out things yourself.”

Gustavo Poyet, his current boss, has certainly been won over. Having initially looked set to cash in on him when Stoke came calling in January, he has realised the benefits of having the tenacious, whole-hearted midfielder in his ranks.

Many might see it as a gamble on Poyet’s part, but Cattermole thinks he is a different footballer these days and is ready to prove to everyone that he should also be recognised for his all-round play and not just his tough tackling.

“I've adapted my game to what the manager wants and that is purely and simply a defensive midfielder,” said Cattermole. “I've learned an unbelievable amount under him. I made mistakes last season but I felt I knew where I was trying to get to with my all round game.

“I know what the manager wants from me and through pre-season I have worked hard at it. I feel comfortable and really good with my game. It is just about being at a good time in my career. I feel really focused and I know my job.”

Sunderland are still searching for a first win of the new Premier League season, having drawn three and lost one ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Burnley. Having only scored for only the second time in more than 100 outings in a Sunderland shirt this season, the Stockton-born middle man hopes to replace cards with more goals.

He said: “It was nice to score, but I don't want it to stop. All the lads would say they used to score a lot of goals as kids as they were better than the other kids they were playing with, which is why they progressed. I was. Obviously now it is totally not my role in the team. I'd rather we won 1-0 and I was nowhere near their box. That would be more satisfying. But I’d certainly like more goals!”

Whether he gets his wish, though, could well depend on Poyet’s tactics and Cattermole said: “I think the manager has given me a role in the team and it is a big role which you have seen in his sides in the past. There has been ups and downs but lately it has been a lot more going in the right direction and that's down to the work I've been doing on the training ground. Hopefully it will continue.”