Black Cats pair Gordon and Nosworthy look set to face Hammers

Apr 4 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

CRAIG Gordon and Nyron Nosworthy are set to make surprise comebacks for Sunderland at West Ham United this afternoon.

It would be only Gordon’s second appearance since mid- October, while Nosworthy could make his first since January 17 amid a defensive shortage.

Manager Ricky Sbragia is promising changes as he looks to end a run of five games without a win.

It would represent an incredible turnaround for Gordon, who only a week ago was contemplating life as second choice for club and country. On Wednesday he was recalled by Scotland after Allan McGregor was disciplined for a late-night drinking session – and now he looks set to be the beneficiary of rival Márton Fülöp’s busy schedule.

“Craig’s trained really well,” Sbragia said. “He asked for two reserve games and there’s not many internationals would do that. He was obviously thinking of the international games.”

Gordon was left out of the Scotland team which played in Holland last week, manager George Burley citing his inactivity at club level. But McGregor’s indiscretions earned him a reprieve for Iceland’s visit.

“I felt really disappointed for him about the Holland game because I think he knew early in the week,” said Sbragia.

“I phoned him up and he wouldn’t answer his calls at first. But I spoke to him again on Tuesday, he seemed a bit more delighted. He knew he might be playing because they’d had a bit of trouble in the Scotland camp. He came in (to training) on Thursday and was really bubbly.”

While Gordon had the shortest return journey of all Sunderland’s internationals, Fülöp travelled from Budapest, where he kept a clean sheet in a World Cup qualifier against Malta having watched from the bench in Albania last Saturday.