Sunderland boss Roy Keane axed £9 million goalkeeper Craig Gordon for yesterday's 1-0 defeat of Derby.

Keane said: "It was a call I had to make. The lad (Gordon) has been under a lot of pressure lately on and off the pitch since he came to Sunderland.

"I am delighted with Craig, but as the manager of the club, I have got to look at what is best for him in the long term and if that means missing a few games, I guarantee long-term, he will get the benefits of it, without a doubt."