Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has stated his delight at the club retaining their star players in the transfer window.
Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher were linked with moves away from the club last month, but both players remained at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking after his side's 3-0 win against local rivals Newcastle United on Saturday, the Uruguayan coach told reporters: "I am delighted that the chairman said to me: 'If you need [Cattermole], he stays'. It is about having the players you need to stay up and Lee is one of those.
"We did not want to lose any of our main players. Sometimes a club might put an offer that makes you think, you like to say everyone has a price.
"I say sometimes you have to be realistic but I am delighted we didn't lose any of our most important players."
The win against the Magpies moved the Black Cats up to 14th in the Premier League.
Paul Gorst
