Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has said that goalkeeper Craig Gordon needs confidence more than anything else. Bruce was unhappy with the £9million Scotland international’s role in Tottenham’s first-half equaliser on Saturday as his side slipped to a 2-1 English Premier League defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Michael Dawson’s header went through his legs and, although he may have been unsighted by William Gallas in front of him, Gordon’s manager felt he should have done better.