Craig Gordon set for SAFC return - The Echo.

[Cheddar Collar.]

Craig Gordon is hoping to get the all-clear this week to resume full training.

The Sunderland goalkeeper saw specialists over the weekend and early this week in order to assess the condition of a knee injury which has kept him out of the game for the last 10 months.

And after having several setbacks on the way to recovery he’s hoping that specialists can provide the best way forward.

Manager Martin O’Neill told the Echo: “Craig is going to undergo a number of tests and we’ll see how he is after that.

“He’s been out for a long time and obviously he’s anxious to get back.”

The Scotland number one turns 28 this month and is desperate to put a couple of injury-wrecked seasons behind him.

His previous campaign was marred by a broken wrist sustained when Jermain Defoe ran through him at White Hart Lane in November, 2009 – putting him out of the first-team picture for almost three months.

The same wrist was broken last pre-season, meaning he did not play first-team football until November.

But this latest injury has been his most troublesome, aggravating a knee injury – again against Tottenham – this time at the Stadium of Light in mid-February.

And despite several attempts to close in on a comeback, he has become frustrated at being able to push for selection.

Now he is hoping that medical specialists will be able to analyse the situation and find a way for him to be challenging again in the early stages of Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland reign.

Although the Scot is in the last year of his contract, the £9m signing from Hearts in 2007, still has a chance of a potential future on Wearside if he proves his fitness and form.

Martin O’Neill was a big admirer of the 6ft 4ins stopper and tried to pip Sunderland to his signature, only to fail to raise the funds at Aston Villa needed to match Hearts’ asking price.

He will want to see for himself what Gordon is capable of on his return.

And it should make for a healthy situation for Sunderland if, as hoped, the Scot can return in the New Year.

That would give the manager a choice between Gordon, Simon Mignolet and Keiren Westwood – all of whom have strong cases for being awarded the number one jersey – and O’Neill would relish the prospect of choosing from three keepers of their calibre, when all are fit.

[jsdftm04]

Westwood would stay in for a bit but no doubt Gordon would get back in eventually.

[DaveyLad]

i think Gordon will always be a quality player.

i think the way westwood is playing though i wouldnt at all want to rush Gordon back.

[robin hood]

Originally Posted by DaveyLad

i think Gordon will always be a quality player.

i think the way westwood is playing though i wouldnt at all want to rush Gordon back.

Hmm some spectacular saves but at the same time looked quite ropey with more basic things. Id have gordon over him atm

[hank williams]

Gordon is a good shot stopper. But for someone who is 6th 4 he doesn't command his area good. I call him dracula he seems to hate crosses

[Andy_Roker1983]

Originally Posted by robin hood

Hmm some spectacular saves but at the same time looked quite ropey with more basic things. Id have gordon over him atm

Sounds very similar to Gordon.

The worry is that Gordon may not come back %100 he is obviously struggling to get the knee back to the required condition.

I've been impressed with Westwood. If Gordon can't prove his fitness i imagine he will be gone come the summer.

[ProfessionalMackem]

Hallifuckingluya

Cant wait for the Flash to be back. Hopefully mon sorts him out with a new contract.

[robin hood]

Didnt MON try to get him at villa?

[bluesman]

Originally Posted by Cheddar Collar.

Craig Gordon is hoping to get the all-clear this week to resume full training.

The Sunderland goalkeeper saw specialists over the weekend and early this week in order to assess the condition of a knee injury which has kept him out of the game for the last 10 months.

And after having several setbacks on the way to recovery he’s hoping that specialists can provide the best way forward.

Manager Martin O’Neill told the Echo: “Craig is going to undergo a number of tests and we’ll see how he is after that.

“He’s been out for a long time and obviously he’s anxious to get back.”

The Scotland number one turns 28 this month and is desperate to put a couple of injury-wrecked seasons behind him.

His previous campaign was marred by a broken wrist sustained when Jermain Defoe ran through him at White Hart Lane in November, 2009 – putting him out of the first-team picture for almost three months.

The same wrist was broken last pre-season, meaning he did not play first-team football until November.

But this latest injury has been his most troublesome, aggravating a knee injury – again against Tottenham – this time at the Stadium of Light in mid-February.

And despite several attempts to close in on a comeback, he has become frustrated at being able to push for selection.

Now he is hoping that medical specialists will be able to analyse the situation and find a way for him to be challenging again in the early stages of Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland reign.

Although the Scot is in the last year of his contract, the £9m signing from Hearts in 2007, still has a chance of a potential future on Wearside if he proves his fitness and form.

Martin O’Neill was a big admirer of the 6ft 4ins stopper and tried to pip Sunderland to his signature, only to fail to raise the funds at Aston Villa needed to match Hearts’ asking price.

He will want to see for himself what Gordon is capable of on his return.

And it should make for a healthy situation for Sunderland if, as hoped, the Scot can return in the New Year.

That would give the manager a choice between Gordon, Simon Mignolet and Keiren Westwood – all of whom have strong cases for being awarded the number one jersey – and O’Neill would relish the prospect of choosing from three keepers of their calibre, when all are fit.

gordon will never play for Sunderland again ,he will sign a pre contract with Celtic in January , i for one will lose no sleep over him the most overpriced over rated keeper in Sunderlands history

[Andy_Roker1983]

Originally Posted by robin hood

Didnt MON try to get him at villa?

yes it says that in the article I think.