SUNDERLAND centre-half Michael Turner will not let talk of a potential England call-up distract him from becoming an even more accomplished defender next season.

The 26-year-old reflected on a memorable campaign that began with him playing at the heart of the Hull City defence and is ending with his Black Cats’ team-mates pushing for him to be considered for international honours.

Fabio Capello’s assistant Franco Baldini was at the Stadium of Light on Sunday with 25-goal striker Darren Bent the main object of the Italian’s attentions.

But Turner is among a group of central defenders thought to be on the radar of the England boss who continues to monitor the emerging group of players hopeful of securing a place in the 2012 European Championships squad.

The unassuming Londoner is reluctant to push his name to the fore but was happy to note that fellow Black Cats defenders were hailing his displays in Sunderland colours.

“It is flattering to hear people talking about me as an England player,” he said.

“John Mensah is an international himself so when he says I can play at that level, it means a lot. It was very nice of him, but I’m just looking forward to having a break, getting back next year and progressing again.

“It could be something that happens, you never know. I’m just trying to improve myself and looking at the areas of my game that I need to work on.

There are a lot of good English players in my position so I don’t know what is going to happen. I’ll just keep trying to play well for Sunderland and if I do get in there I’ll be delighted.

“I do find it difficult to talk about international football. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

There have been a few times people have said I’ve got a chance and that’s really nice, but I just want to get my head down and keep playing well here. I hope the best is yet to come from me. I’m 26 so hopefully over the next few years I’ll be at my peak.”

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce will be without midfielder Lee Cattermole for Sunday’s game at Wolves after he dislocated a shoulder.

Cattermole, 22, who suffered the setback in training yesterday, has been plagued by injuries since moving to the Stadium of Light from Wigan for £6m last August.

Bruce said: “Lee looks as though he’s dislocated his shoulder, it’s been a horrific time.

“It was an innocuous challenge.

We are waiting on reports.

We will know more in 24 hours or so when we can let the supporters know exactly what’s going on.”

Meanwhile, Bruce is bracing himself for reports from a specialist later this week that will reveal the full extent of David Meyler’s damaged knee ligaments.

The Republic of Ireland international was stretcheredoff in the first half of Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United after rupturing the cruciate in his right knee. The 20-year-old faces months on the sidelines and seems certain to miss the start of next season.

But Bruce expects to have Craig Gordon available for pre-season training after it was revealed the Scotland number one is set for surgery to remove a metal plate from his arm inserted after his clash with Spurs’ Jermain Defoe last November.