Keane: Gordon needs break

Roy Keane has admitted that Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has needed a break away from football after calling him Darren Ward who grabbed a vital clean sheet against Derby. Keane has dropped Gordon after several disappointments.

"The lad's been under pressure, so missing a few games will do him a world of good mentally more than physically.

"I'm delighted with him but I have to look at what's best long term, and he'll get the benefits of it without a doubt, to miss a few games.

"It was a call I had to make. I'm just trying to freshen it up because I have lads waiting in the wings for a chance.

"Since he's come here, he's had a lot of pressure away from the club, he's had a disappointment with Scotland.

"I wouldn't blame him for any goals last week - we probably needed five keepers against Everton. Defenders take responsibility for that.

"Any player left out will be disappointed, he won't enjoy that."