Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt has insisted that he will not change his style of play in an attempt to force his way into Gus Poyet's team.

Bridcutt is in direct competition with Lee Cateermore for a place in Poyet's preferred 4-1-4-1 formation, though he is not prepared to alter his game in an attempt to mimic Cattermole's no-nonsense approach in the middle of the park.

"The manager brought me in for the qualities I've got, so he's not going to change me now," the ex-Brighton man is quoted as saying by the Northern Echo.

"I'm 25 years old and I'm still learning, but he's not going to tell me which way to play. The reason I'm here is because of the way I played in the past and he's not going to change me.

"If Lee's doing well and the manager sees that, then he's got a decision to make. He has to decide whether to play both or maybe one of us. But that's the manager's decision and whatever he decides to do, he's the manager."

Poyet is expected to recall Cattermole for Sunderland's game with Leicester City next weekend.