Gordon to see specialist over knee problem

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is to visit a specialist in Sweden next week over his troublesome knee injury.

The £9m man has struggled since returning early from Scotland duty last month with the problem, and was an unused substitute for last weekend’s 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton as Simon Mignolet took over.

Manager Steve Bruce said today: “Craig Gordon is not 100% fit, I have to report that. He’s going to see a specialist on Monday.

“He came back from Scotland with a knee injury and it has been niggling away at him. He’s away to see a specialist in Sweden on Monday and we will see how he is.”

Striker Danny Welbeck has returned to training following his long-term knee injury and could be included in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.

Both he and Fraizer Campbell, who has also been a long-term absentee with a knee problem, are expected to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly next week.

Bruce said; “Danny Welbeck is training today with Fraizer Campbell. Welbeck, if he comes through the next two days, could be involved on Saturday.

“We have got a game against West Ham on Tuesday here and I expect Fraizer and Danny both to be playing in that.”