Campbell steps up recovery with reserve outing

Forgotten man Frazier Campbell played and scored for Sunderland's second-string in a 3-1 defeat of Blackburn Rovers last night.

The 24 year-old former Manchester United forward has been out for the best part of two years now with serious knee injuries but was amongst the goals last night.

Keith Bertschin's side took a second-half lead through Campbell before further goals from Craig Lynch and Adam Reed secured the win.

Also in the starting XI was Scottish 'keeper, Craig Gordon. The former Hearts custodian has endured an equally frustrating period on the sidelines seeing both Simon Mignolet and Keiren Westwood move ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, Martin O'Neill has re-assured the 'keeper that he remains in his plans. Speaking to the Sunday Sun, O'Neill said:

"I was an admirer of Craig`s when I was at Aston Villa and we made a bid for him, but Sunderland outbid us.

"It`s important to make clear that no one is shoving him out of the door.

"It would be ridiculous to do that with a top-quality keeper, so we`ll see. No one`s rushing into anything just yet."

Incidentally, Gordon is just six first-team appearances away from triggering a £1m payment to former club Hearts as part of the £9m package that brought him to Wearside under Roy Keane.

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