Cats goal in good hands says Marton Fulop

Nov 18 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MARTON Fulop will use his extended run in the Sunderland side to prove Steve Bruce doesn't need to strengthen his goalkeeping department.

Signing a new keeper in the January transfer window was not a high priority for the Black Cats boss, but Craig Gordon’s badly broken arm has forced him into a rethink.

Sunderland have previously been linked with England goalkeeper David James but Fulop – who will return to the side for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday – insists that Bruce does not need to spend the market to cover for Gordon.

Fulop has the perfect opportunity to back up his words with actions over the next three months and is confidently predicting better performances, now that he has recovered from the heel injury that affected his start to the season.

Indeed, Fulop believes that Bruce is still undecided about who his first-choice goalkeeper is, and intends to put the issue beyond doubt over the next few weeks.

“I don’t think the manager has decided yet who his number one is,” he said. “The more games you get the more chances you get to impress, and I hope we get a good result against Arsenal now and I can play my part.

“I definitely don’t think the manager needs to bring in a new goalkeeper. Sunderland has three good goalkeepers – I include Trevor Carson as well. Craig is Scotland’s number one and a very good goalkeeper, and I am an international as well.

“But that is what the manager is paid to do – make decisions like that, sign and sell players. All three of us want to prove to him that there is no need to sign another goalkeeper.”