Gordon out for a month

Sunderland's Scottish International goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, will be out of action for at least a month. Gordon has been suffering from an ankle injury and has been told to rest for at least a month. Craig Gordon will return to training ground this week after a break - but he won't be back in action for another month.

Gordon was told to go away and rest an ankle ligament injury after it worsened when he attempted a comeback in Sunderland's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton three weeks ago.

The Scotland goalkeeper, who has played just once since October, will start light training next week but a first-team return is still weeks away.

Ricky Sbragia, the coach, said: "Craig will be back into light training, we can't set a comeback date yet, but in three or four weeks he should be back into full training.

This is most probably the reason that the Black Cats have recalled 'keeper Trevor Carson from his loan spell at Chesterfield. The Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper has made 20 appearances for the Spirites since joining them on a season-long loan in August.

Carson will rejoin his teammates at the Stadium of Light in the January transfer window.

Sbragia on Gordon: "He'll be back well into the New Year, I would have thought. There's no guarantee he'll get straight back in anyway, it depends on how Marton does. There will be a bit of competition there."

"There'll be no favours just because I'm a fellow Scot," added Sbragia, "although I'll make sure he's ready for the Scotland v Holland game!"

Personally I think Martin Fulop has done a great job and deserves to keep his place in the team once Gordon is fit again, as I believe Craig Gordon has underachieved and has in no way proved that he is worth trhe £9 million price tag on his head.

Competition for places can't do us any harm at all!

Ha'way the Lads.