CRAIG GORDON has urged his team-mates to make sure that “the worst season of his career” does not deteriorate further by failing to keep Sunderland in the Premier League.

With three matches remaining, Gordon is expected to learn today if he needs an operation on the knee problem that already looks to have ended his campaign prematurely.

The frustrated Scotland goalkeeper has already spent much of the campaign either on the sidelines or warming the substitutes’ bench, so he will be glad to see the back of his second season in English football.

Gordon has only played 12 times in the Premier League and is braced to learn that he will not add to that tally before August, leaving survival down to the rest of the dressing room.

“It’s been the worst season of my career for injuries,”

said Gordon. “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-toback is disappointing.

“When you come to a new club in the first couple of years you want to stamp your authority on things and I have been in and out which has not been ideal.

“So let’s get this season over and done with, stay in the Premier League and look forward to next season to come back stronger.”

After losing his place to Marton Fulop, Gordon finally returned to the starting lineup under Ricky Sbragia at West Ham on April 4.

But suffering the injury in training after the crucial 1-0 win over Hull knocked him back.

“I’m struggling still,” he said. “I will see someone to see the extent of the damage and then we will see what we will do about it. I have had scans.

“It’s automatic to fear the worst. There might be an operation and we will find out whether that is required. It’s a possibility that it is the knee cartilage but I’m trying to remain positive.

“To be out at a time when you want to play and help is really disappointing. Not being able to do that and help your team-mates is frustrating.

This is the time for the big players to stand up and be counted and I count myself in that bracket.”

Sbragia denied last week that Gordon has been left out because one more appearance – taking him to 50 appearances – would trigger a further £330,000 payment to Hearts as part of the £9m record deal that took him south.

The 26-year-old is looking forward to reaching that mark, but knows the importance of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.

“It’s huge. For the players, the fans, the club and everyone behind the scenes here, there’s such a difference in the money side of things if you drop down too, and that affects what the club will be able to spend,” he said.

“It doesn’t bear thinking about what could happen and that’s why we have to stay focused.

The last couple of weeks have been disappointing results and performance, so we are due a big one and to get the points that would climb us away. Everyone is struggling at this time but you hope we are big enough to get that win.”

Gordon was at the Sunderland Supporters’ player of the year awards last night, when Danny Collins was handed the honour for the second year in a row. Jordan Henderson was named the young player of the year.

■ A Matthew Fletcher brace wasn’t enough to prevent Sunderland Under-18s going down by the odd goal in five to Sheffield United yesterday.

Fletcher put the visitors in front on 26 minutes when he rolled the ball home after winning possession. The Blades equalised, then and went ahead when keeper Martin Hunter dropped the ball.

The home side added a third. Fletcher reduced the arrears with his second before the end but it wasn’t enough to stop the all conquering group champions Sunderland from suffering a rare defeat.

Sunderland reserves won 3- 0 at Hull City last night.