Sunderland are refusing to take 'no' for an answer in the their pursuit of England Under-21 international Lee Cattermole and are believed to have upped their offer for the Wigan midfielder.

According to Sky Sports News, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has made a bid believed to be in the region of £6million after the Latics rebuffed his initial offer for the combative midfield ace last week.

Bruce is a huge admirer of the 21-year-old having brought him to the DW Stadium last summer in a £3.5milion deal from Middlesbrough and is eager to be reunited with him at the Stadium of Light.

However, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has recently stated his determination to keep hold of the tough-tackling midfielder, who has made himself a firm favourite with the Latics faithful in his first season at the club, making 33 appearances in the Premier League.

But he may ve facing a losing battle as Cattermole is believed to be keen on return to his native North East while Liverpool and Tottenham are also said to be interested in the player after he excelled in the European Under-21 Championship for England this summer.