When will Craig Gordon’s injury woes end?

Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after having surgery on his knee.

The Scottish international could be out of action for up to six months. It’s just the latest in a long line of injury problems for the 28 year-old.

Confirmation

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce told the clubs official website:

“Craig had the operation yesterday and it went well. He’ll be out for about four to six months now.

“Craig’s been following a programme but when the specialist had a look at the knee again, we were left with no choice but to go ahead with the surgery. That just sums our luck up at the moment.”

Highly-rated

Craig Gordon is one of most highly-rated goalkeepers in the Premier League. He joined Sunderland from Scottish club Hearts for a then club record fee of £9million and it was seen as a coup for the North-East club. His signing was seen as a statement of intent by the club that they meant business in the top flight.

Nightmare

His first season went relatively well and he made 34 Premier League appearances. Unfortunately the last three seasons he has undergone a constant string of injuries. Just when he started to play a few games in a row he picked up knocks or even worse long-term injuries.

Keepers

His story is very similar to that of Wigan Athletic keeper Chris Kirkland, who like Gordon was highly-rated when he joined his present club. The 29 year-old has also endured a nightmare time with injuries and it looks like he could leave the Latic’s on a free transfer this summer.

Both keepers were good with high potential but unfortunately it doesn’t look like either will fulfil that promise. The pair still have time but if injuries keep hindering their progress then it definitely won’t happen.

Reserve

This season due to niggling injuries and the form of reserve keeper Simon Mignolet, Craig Gordon has only made fifteen Premier League appearances.  For a keeper rated as one of the best in the country it’s a tiny figure.

Linked

He has been heavily linked with moves to the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in the past and before the injury was even being linked with replacing Edwin Van Der Sar at United this summer.

If fit he would have been the ideal replacement for the Dutchman. He is commanding, a good shot stopper and an excellent decision maker. As it is Gordon now needs to concentrate on recovering from his latest setback and aim for a return early next season.

Hope

I have been a fan of the Scottish international for a long time and I just hope he makes a quick recovery from this latest injury setback. For a goalkeeper 28 years of age is still relatively young and he still has time to become a star for both club and country.

No less than Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon once said that he could become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. That’s quite a compliment from one Gordon’s self-proclaimed heroes. Let’s just hope for everybody’s sake that the Juventus stalwart is proved right.

Can Craig Gordon recover from his latest injury to become a world-class keeper?