No Gordon tonic for Cats gaffer

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is worried goalkeeper Craig Gordon will not be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

Gordon endured a frustrating past campaign after being sidelined with an ankle injury and then underwent a knee operation in May.

The former Hearts keeper was confident of being fit to return in time for the Black Cats' opening game of the campaign against Bolton on August 15.

However, he has yet to fully recover from the operation and Bruce doubts Gordon will be available for the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

"Craig's not recovered and that's a worry after his operation," said Bruce.

"It's not a huge worry - the boy will be okay - but my worry is will he be fit to start the season, given it's the same knee as the one he had the operation on."

The injury worry means Gordon is also unlikely to be ready to be involved in Scotland's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Norway on 12th August.