Source: Daily_Mail
Steve Bruce confident Craig Gordon is at Sunderland for keeps
Consistent: Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon[LNB]Craig Gordon will open talks on a new contract with Sunderland despite his poor display in last weekend's defeat at Stoke.[LNB]ManagerSteve Bruce was openly critical of Gordon's part in Sunderland'scollapse at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday which has dented theirEuropean hopes.[LNB]But Gordon's otherwise consistentperformances under Bruce have persuaded the Sunderland mananger tostart negotiations on a new deal.[LNB]Gordon, signed for aBritish record ?12 million from Hearts by Roy Keane, has 18 months lefton his contract and has been linked with Manchester United interest asSir Alex Ferguson as he narrows down his search for Edwin van der Sar'ssuccessor.[LNB]The Scotland No 1 was in the form of his careerlast season after recovering from a broken wrist but then fractured thesame bone just days after a pin was removed. [LNB] [LNB] Gordon missedthe start of the season, with Bruce's new rookie Belgian Simon Mignoletproving an ample stand-in, but pulled off one of the greatest PremierLeague saves on his return. The keeper looked in good shape until hewilted under pressure from Stoke in the closing stages of the 3-2defeat.[LNB]He also conceded four in Sunderland's 4-2 defeat to Chelsea at the Stadium of Light the previous weekend.[LNB] Four-lorn: Gordon can only watch on as Chelsea Nicolas Anelka scores last week[LNB]Bruce, who is also due to have talks with Steed Malbranque, said: 'Ihope that Craig will commit his long-term future to the club.[LNB]'Inthe 20 months that I have been here he has been playing at the top ofhis form. At the back end of last season he was fantastic and then hesuffered a set-back with his broken arm which he broke again intraining.[LNB]'Craig just needs to play regularly and keephimself fit. Since he has been here he has missed big chunks but he isparamount to what we want to do here.[LNB]'He is an excellent goalkeeper so we will do our utmost to keep him here at Sunderland.'[LNB] Stoke 3 Sunderland 2: Huth hits injury time winner to stun Black CatsWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerWe've been sold short! Newcastle and Sunderland rue striker departuresAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Craig Gordon, Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane
