Defoe to blame for injury - Gordon; Defoe to blame - Gordon.

CRAIG Gordon has blasted Spurs striker Jermain Defoe for the "poor challenge" that broke his arm and left him on the sidelines until the New Year, writes LUKE EDWARDS. Defoe collided with Gordon (pictured left) during Sunderland's defeat at White Hart Lane on Saturday and left the Scotland goalkeeper with a frac-tured left arm that has interrupted his best spell of form since joining the Black Cats. The consensus among media pundits seemed to be that Defoe was not to blame but Gordon feels that the England striker was in the wrong. "I thought at the time it was a poor challenge - after looking at it again I haven't changed my mind," he wrote on Sunderland's official website.

"It's always dangerous diving down at strikers feet but I feel Jermain might have done more to avoid the collision." It is a bitter blow for the pounds 9m goalkeeper, who missed most of last season with a succession of injuries. It will allow Marton Ful'p, who started the campaign as Sunderland's number one, a chance to stake his claim for the role again. "It is a real blow personally as I feel I was really starting to discover my best form for Sunderland after what's been a really difficult time with injuries over the past couple of years," Gordon said. Meanwhile, Bruce must decide whether to enter an extravagant bid for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson in January or risk losing him in a transfer tussle in the summer.

The Journal understands Johnson would be willing to leave Boro in the New Year for the Black Cats, despite reported interest from their Premier League rivals Everton and Chelsea. The 22-year-old only has another seven months remaining on his contract at the Riverside and has not shown any inclination to extend it, which means new Boro boss Gordon Strachan will be powerless to prevent him leaving in the summer.. However, if Johnson stays until June the fee his club will receive will be decided by an independent tribunal. Previous judgements have not often sat well with selling clubs and it could be in Boro's interests to accept a large offer in January.

Although Johnson has been Boro's star player ithis season and gives Strachan a powerful attacking weapon in English football's second tier, financial pressure may force the Scot's hand. It is also unclear as to whether he will want to fight to keep hold of a player who sees his future elsewhere and intends to leave as soon as the opportunity arises. That could help Black Cats boss Bruce who has earmarked the highly-rated left winger as one of his top transfer targets. Although Johnson favours a move to the Stadium of Light, which means he can stay close to his family home, other clubs are interested and will also enter the race to sign him once he is out of contract. Bruce, though, knows a large cash offer in January may deter their competitors and he could urge the Sunderland board to come up with enough money to tempt Boro into a mid-season sale. Nevertheless, even that may not be enough to land the former England Under-21 international as Chelsea will also be in the market for new players in the New Year. The Premier League leaders have managed to get a transfer ban temporarily lifted while they appeal against Fifa's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but know the next window could be their last chance to sign players before 2011 . They have also been linked with a move for Johnson and, as well as offering Champions League football and a shot at the Premier League title, should be able to comfortably outbid the Wearsiders.

CAPTION(S):

OPTION Steve Bruce, above, could bid for Adam Johnson, top.