Source: Daily_Mail
Craig Gordon sidelined for six months
[LNB]Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been dealt another major blow as he fights to keep his plummeting team in the Barclays Premier League, after goalkeeper Craig Gordon was ruled out until October following knee surgery.[LNB] Bruce had hoped the Scotland No 1 would be able to delay an operation to repair torn cartilage and play in Sunderland's five remaining games. [LNB]But he travelled to see renowned specialist Professor Hakan Alfredson in Sweden and immediately had an operation, ruling him out of the start of next season. [LNB] Massive blow: Scotland and Sunderland could be without Gordon for six months[LNB]Bruce said: 'Craig had the operation on Monday and it went well. He will be out for about four to six months now.[LNB] 'He has been following a programme, but when the specialist had a look at the knee again, we were left with no choice but to go ahead with the surgery. That just sums our luck up at the moment.' [LNB]Bruce had hoped 30-year-old Gordon, who has not played since February, could come in to face his manager's former team Wigan on Saturday as Sunderland, without a win in nine games, look to gain the victory which is certain to end their relegation fears. [LNB] At fault: Simon Mignolet (right) made several errors in Sunderland's defeat to Birmingham[LNB]The Sunderland boss said he was ready to ask Gordon to play following young Belgian Simon Mignolet's two costly errors in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Birmingham.[LNB] That plan has been ditched and Mignolet, 22, will play in Sunderland's last five games, with Northern Ireland keeper Trevor Carson back from a loan spell at League One club Brentford to take Gordon's place on the bench.[LNB] Bruce, who is already without Anton Ferdinand, John Mensah, Titus Bramble, Sulley Muntari and Fraizer Campbell, hopes to have Kieran Richardson fit to face Wigan but has fresh doubts over on-loan Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, who suffered a hamstring strain at St Andrew's.[LNB] [LNB] Bent exit not to blame for alarming Sunderland slump, insists BrucePREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: Strips your team will wear in 2011-12Watch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Steve Bruce, Craig Gordon, Danny Welbeck, Titus Bramble Places: Birmingham, Scotland, Northern Ireland
