SUNDERLAND have been handed a much-needed boost with the news goalkeeper Craig Gordon is likely to return for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Portsmouth.

Scotland international Gordon has been out of action since breaking his arm following a clash with Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane in November.

But he is back in training and ought to return at Fratton Park, along with three other players who missed the 7-2 mauling at Chelsea last weekend.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce told the club website, www.safc.com: "Craig is back. Obviously, Michael Turner is available (after suspension) and we're hoping to have Andy Reid and Lee Cattermole back as well.

"John Mensah is on the way back but we will have to wait to see about him."

Turner has missed the last four games after the Football Association rejected Sunderland's appeal against his controversial sending-off at Manchester City and increased his three-game ban.

Cattermole has not played since the 4-3 defeat at Eastlands, while Reid's last appearance before injury came against Everton on Boxing Day.