LIAM BRIDCUTT remains confident of winning back a regular place in Sunderland’s starting line-up – but insists he will not be changing his game in an attempt to mimic Lee Cattermole.

With Cattermole serving a one-game suspension, Bridcutt made his first Premier League start of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Everton and produced an eye-catching display that helped negate the attacking impact of an opposition midfield containing England international Ross Barkley and four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o.

The 25-year-old will be hoping to retain his place for the away game at Leicester City a week tomorrow, but Poyet is expected to recall Cattermole, who has arguably been the Black Cats’ most influential player this season.

With Bridcutt and Cattermole effectively competing for one place in Poyet’s preferred 4-1-4-1 formation, the Sunderland head coach must weigh up the value of the former’s passing ability compared to the importance of the latter’s leadership and tackling prowess.

The fact he has tended to go with Cattermole suggests he accepts the need for a physical edge at the base of midfield, but having worked closely with Poyet at his former club, Brighton, Bridcutt is not about to start changing his playing style in order to impress his boss.

“The manager brought me in for the qualities I’ve got, so he’s not going to change me now,” he said. “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.”

When Bridcutt arrived at the Stadium of Light in January, it was anticipated that he would become the linchpin of Poyet’s first-choice midfield.

He might have slipped into that role had Cattermole’s proposed move to Stoke City not fallen through on deadline day, but his form quickly dipped after an excellent debut in the 3-0 win at Newcastle – a performance that still represents the high-water mark of his Sunderland career – and he had been dropped by the time the club staged their great escape in the final weeks of the season.

There were mitigating factors behind his slump, with difficulties surrounding the birth of his child resulting in a period of compassionate leave, but having lost his place in Sunderland’s starting XI, he has found it difficult to regain his spot.

“I’ve had a lot of problems since I came here,” said Bridcutt. “It’s been stop-start with the games. When I first came in there were cup games I was ineligible to play in and things like that. I had a lot of personal issues off the pitch and that set me back a bit too.

“Lee has done a great job, but I’m here to fight for my place and I’m going to continue to do that. Since I’ve come to the club, the manager has shown nothing but confidence in me and I still feel as though I fitted in straight away.”