Source: Team_Talk
Cats keeper content with start
Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet hopes that his performances for the club in Craig Gordon's absence have secured his future.[LNB] The 22-year-old Belgian has caught the eye for the Black Cats in recent games, having been thrown into the limelight following regular number one Gordon's wrist injury.[LNB]He has kept two clean sheets in the last three games for the Wearsiders and has risen to the challenge after being given a first-team chance by manager Steve Bruce.[LNB]"I'm very new to all this and it is a big challenge for me, playing for a big club in the Premier League so soon in my career," Mignolet told the Sunderland Echo.[LNB]"I completely understood why the manager was looking around for another experienced keeper after Craig first got injured and I did not take that personally or hold it against him. [LNB]"I had just got here and I had no experience of the Premier League so it was a big risk putting me into the side.[LNB]"But I hope I have proved in my performances so far that I have a future at this level and at his club.[LNB]"I have really enjoyed the games but I am still very much young and learning the game and I am aware that Craig is on his way back to full fitness. [LNB]"He is the experienced keeper and he will go straight back into the side when he is fit.[LNB]"But we do not know how long he will be out yet and so in the meantime I still have the job to do."[LNB]Black Cats boss Bruce has been impressed by Mignolet since his arrival at the club in June, but expects to have Gordon close to a return by the end of the month.[LNB]He added: "Craig is on schedule. He'll be pushing by the end of the month. [LNB]"If he is physically fit, the West Ham match in the Carling Cup next week is the game I will think about playing him in."
