Sunderland and Scotland keeper Craig Gordon has been dealt the final blow of the season, being told by specialist that he will need an operation to fix a knee injury he picked up in training.
The news will mean that Gordon will miss the rest of the current season.
Gordon has had a nightmare of a season finding himself spending lengthy spells out due to recurring ankle problems. Only to return from injury to take a place on the bench as Sunderland second keeper Marton Fulop showing fine form. To make things worse lack of first team club football games lead to Gordon losing his No.1 jersey in the Scottish international team.
Gordon said, "I have never had anything like this at any stage. I have hardly missed a game in my career, so to have two lengthy injuries back-to-back is disappointing."