Sunderland Football Club News

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

• Ground:Stadium of light
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Sbragia fires Gordon warning

06 Mar 2009 - 07:25:15

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Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been warned that he will need to fight to regain his starting spot with the Black Cats.

The 25-year-old Scotland international has had to play second fiddle to Marton Fulop in recent weeks, having recently recovered from an ankle injury.

Manager Ricky Sbragia said: "I would hope he wouldn't be happy. I spoke to him on Saturday for about 20 minutes, I had a chat with him and there is better competition now.

"Marton has done extremely well and if it was the other way around, how would Craig feel if I all of a sudden just dropped him and put Marton in?

"He has got to fight for his position. He knows that and he is willing to do that.

"We always felt we needed competition in that area and Marton has provided that, and when he has had the chance, he has taken the chance as well.

"Craig is a very good keeper. They are two different keepers and two different personalities.

"Craig has to fight for his position. Nobody is guaranteed it, that's important. I don't think any player in the squad is guaranteed their position."