Newcastle United boss John Carver reckons the midfield tussle between stand-in Toon skipper Moussa Sissoko and Sunderland's Lee Cattermole will be "key'' to the game today.

Carver admits he bumped into Cattermole last week.

He said: "I think it's massive between Moussa and Lee.

"I think it will be a key clash because, if Lee is getting on the ball and dictating things, it will be a problem for us.

"If Moussa is getting on the ball and dominating Lee, it will be big for us, so it's a key head-to-head battle.

"I get on quite well with Lee, believe it or not - I saw him last weekend.

"Obviously, we had the weekend off because it was the ­international break.

"Myself and Steve Stone were with some friends and Lee was with some of his friends in the lodge opposite, so we just had a chat in the morning and said, 'Look forward to seeing you next weekend!'''