SUNDERLAND will risk losing Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper for free next summer, because Steve Bruce regards opening contract negotiations now with Craig Gordon as a bigger gamble.

The Black Cats had been due to talk terms with the Scot around now, but the latest in a serious of injuries has delayed the process.

By the time any discussions take place, Gordon will be at or fast approaching the stage where he can talk to other clubs about a free transfer. With Bruce looking for another goalkeeper this summer – reportedly opening talks with Coventry City’s Kieren Westwood – a move could appeal to the player.

Losing a player they paid around £9m for on a free transfer would represent bad business for Sunderland, but having lost so many players to injury recently, Bruce feels he has little choice but to chance it.

“The lesson I have learned is I can’t take the risk,” he said. “I have got to find another goalkeeper. I need to try to bring in someone else.”

Gordon has not played since injuring his knee tendon in February. The Black Cats were optimistic of avoiding surgery with careful management, but those hopes were dashed in late April.

The 28-year-old is expected to miss the early months of next season, but Bruce hinted it may be longer. Whether this is realism or increasing the pressure on owner Ellis Short to invest heavily this summer is unclear.

“He has to get back fit and give us the problem then,” Bruce said. “We can’t go into negotiations now with someone who has had a serious knee operation. That is the way football is and I think he understands. He is not going to do another pre-season.”