Bruce to discuss Gordon with Levein

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will speak to Craig Levein about Craig Gordon as the keeper attempts to avoid surgery which could sideline him for six months. The 28-year-old has been called up by Scotland manager Levein for the friendly clash with Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on March 27 despite still struggling with the knee injury which forced him to withdraw from international duty last month. Bruce said: "Craig has got this tendinitis problem and the specialist has given him a designed programme to do, so we are doing that. In the meantime, he can play in an emergency. He has obviously been called up by Scotland - I will have a conversation with Craig Levein concerning Craig because he isn't 100% fit." Gordon visited renowned Swedish specialist Professor Hakan Alfredson earlier this month in an effort to get to the bottom of the problem, which has seen him reduced to the role of substitute for his club's last two games as he works on a specially designed exercise programme in an effort to rule out an operation. Bruce added: "He is just doing his programme and if we need him, we can use him. "But the next three weeks are going to be pivotal for him to see if there is any progress and see if the knee gets any better and he gets rid of this tendinitis problem. "If he [Prof Alfredson] goes in and he does operate, it is one of those where it could be a month, but it could be six months, so it's an awful time." Asked if he would be happy if Gordon played for his country next weekend, Bruce replied: "I don't think Craig would be in any position to want to play himself. We will have a conversation."

Source: PA