MARTON Fulop claims that Sunderland were robbed at least a point on Saturday after confirming that James Milner used his arm to bundle home Aston Villa’s equaliser.

The Hungarian goalkeeper reacted with fury when referee Mike Dean failed to rule out the former Newcastle winger’s second half strike that cancelled out Danny Collins headed opener.

And the man with the best view in the stadium was convinced that Milner’s goal should have been disallowed.

“Obviously I was close to it and I’m sure that the ball hit his arm, the goal should not have stood and it’s the difference between one point and no points. It’s disappointing because we felt that we deserved a draw,” said Fulop.

Milner admitted that he used his arm to help the ball into the net but claimed that he was fouled in the process.

“It probably would have been a penalty anyway. I tried to get any contact I could on the ball and it hit my head and my hands at the same time,”

said Milner.

“I seem to like scoring goals here – I’ve got a few. I had one for Leeds one last year for Newcastle and now another one. Sunderland fans must hate me but you can’t be friends with everyone in football!

“There’s a lot going on at Newcastle at the moment. It’s a tough time up there and hopefully they can sort it all out as soon as possible.’’ At this point last season, Sunderland had lost three games at the Stadium of Light – they’ve already suffered double that number of home defeats during the current campaign.

And Fulop bemoaned another home blank for his side.

“It was hugely disappointing to lose at home again we felt that we matched Villa. We have some important home games coming up and we have to win them,” said Fulop who remains determined to retain his place as Craig Gordon edges back to fitness.

The keeper, signed in a £9m deal from Hearts, has appeared in just one of Sunderland’s last 15 games and he’s still at least a month away from making a return after an ankle injury.

Gordon said: “I’m not yet back in full training, but I’m out there with the rest of the goalkeepers and close to it.

It’ll take a week or so for me to get back up to full speed.

“The last thing I want is for the injury to re-occur.”

Gordon has yet to appear since Ricky Sbragia took charge of team affairs but the Black Cats boss is delighted to see his compatriot return to training.

“Craig is coming back, but I think it’s just one of those injuries where we’re going to have keep a very close watch on things,” he said.

“He’s done some kicking, and seems happy with it. Previously, he’d been getting twinges, but that seems to have gone now. If I get him back before the middle of February, I’ll be over the moon, but he’ll need some practice.

“We will certainly have to look at giving him at least a reserve game and the same is likely to apply to George Mc- Cartney.’’ In the meantime, Andy Reid has being omitted from Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland squad to face Georgia.

Reid was dropped for Ireland’s friendly defeat to Poland in November after he had reportedly breached a 1am curfew three days before a World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.

And he has again been overlooked despite the Italian claiming he’s drawn a line under the incident.

“Today, Andy Reid or (Stephen) Ireland, please, it’s finished. We speak with them.

To clarify, it’s finished,” Trapattoni confirmed.

Paul McShane and former Black Cats midfielder Liam Miller have been included in the squad.