Sunderland goalkeeper out until February with broken arm

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that goalkeeper Craig Gordon is set to be unavailable for the next three months, after suffering a broken arm in the Black Cats 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Bruce will also be without midfielder Lee Cattermole for at least that period, after the former Wigan player suffered ligament damage in his side’s controversial victory over Liverpool last month.

In a statement issued to the club’s website, Bruce said:

"Craig's injury is the most disappointing thing to come out of the last couple of weeks,

"It looks as if it's going to be three months. We've not had much luck in that respect - that's two serious injuries in a month."

Reserve ‘keeper Marton Fulop is expected to take Gordon’s place, although Bruce is hopeful that youngster Trevor Carson will offer some competition for the position, adding:

"Marton's been there and done it before, but Trevor has a chance to stake his claim, too.

"I was impressed with the way he handled himself in pre-season, so it's not a foregone conclusion that I'm going to pick Marton. Trevor has a chance to come in, too."

Sunderland’s next Premier League match is against Arsenal, at the Stadium of Light, with Bruce’s side 5/1 (SkyBet) to pick up all three points.