Gordon expected to face Spurs

Craig Gordon is expected to be fit to continue in goal for Sunderland against Tottenham despite pulling out of the Scotland squad with a minor knee injury.

The precautionary move appears to have done the trick and Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper should start at the Stadium of Light.

“Craig’s had a disappointing couple of games by his own standards but he’s the club’s number one for a reason,” Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said.

“He’s a top-quality keeper and he’s proven himself that on many occasions in my time here. I think he’ll use the last couple of games as an incentive to produce his best against Spurs this weekend.”

“He’s 50-50 at the moment but we’re pretty sure he’ll be fine to play.”

All other players involved on international duty during the week have returned fit and recent signings Stephane Sessegnon and Sulley Muntari have improved their fitness and are in contention.

And Bruce admits he has a decision to make over Ghana captain John Mensah, who has come through his latest game for his country unscathed.

“John was excellent last week in the five-man defence we played at Stoke but we’ll play four at the back at home so I have to decide if he stays in the side and if the does, who makes way,” he said.

Tottenham will be without Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart for the trip to Wearside but Bruce is still wary of the threat posed by Harry Redknapp’s men.

“They’ll come here looking to be positive and attacking and give it a go but the other side of that is that you do get chances against them,” Bruce said.

“They’re always dangerous going forward but they do tend to leave openings at the back and we’ve got to look to exploit that. It could be a very exciting game again between two teams who like to play football.”