Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Keane backs dropped Gordon

06 Dec 2007 - 11:23:58

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Sunderland manager Roy Keane has revealed that he feels that record signing Craig Gordon needs a break from first-team action, following a tough start to his Black Cats career.

The 24-year-old Scotland international goalkeeper cost Sunderland £9million when he moved from Hearts in the summer, but Keane left Gordon out of the 1-0 win over Derby County last weekend.

"The lad's been under pressure, so missing a few games will do him a world of good, mentally more than physically," Keane commented.

"I'm delighted with him, but I have to look at what's best long term and he'll get the benefits of it without a doubt.

"It was a call I had to make. I'm just trying to freshen it up because I have lads waiting in the wings for a chance.

"Since he's come here, he's had a lot of pressure away from the club, he's had a disappointment with Scotland.

"Any player left out will be disappointed, he won't enjoy that."