Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has praised Craig Gordon for overcoming a shaky start at the Stadium of Light to become a 'top drawer' keeper. The 26-year-old stopper signed for the Black Cats from Hearts in 2007 for a British record fee of £9million, but has struggled with his fitness since his move to Wearside - most recently recovering from knee surgery.

"He is getting to where he should be," Bruce said in The Times.

"He struggled a bit last year with injuries and all the rest of it. He had a bad knee when we came to the club.

"He just needs a little bit of confidence, but certainly he produced a couple of saves when we needed him to against West Ham which were right out of the top drawer.

"He looks like the real deal again. Spinky (Sunderland goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink has worked hard with him and with the injury he's had.

"We have made sure we have not rushed him back because that would have been quite easy and we're reaping the reward now."