Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has held clear-the-air talks with Craig Gordon as the Scot tries to win back his first team place.

Sbragia revealed: "I've spoken to Craig, he came to see me because he's a bit worried about what's happening in general.

"He knows he has a fight on his hands because nobody's place is guaranteed. Before he probably thought he would walk in automatically but we need competition in every area.

"I've just told him to carry on with what he's been doing.

"He will start against Blackburn and hopefully get 90 minutes - then we will see how far down the line he is."

Gordon links up with the Scotland squad next week for a get-together ahead of the World Cup qualifying double header in Holland on March 28 and at home to Iceland on April 1.

But he will have to settle for a place on the Sunderland bench on Saturday with Marton Fulop set to return for the crunch Premier League visit by Stoke.

The Hungarian international, 25, will be looking to add to his four clean sheets from 18 games this season. And Sbragia added: "He's come in and he's done extremely well.

"Marton's keeping the others out and long may it continue."