CRAIG GORDON knows just how important a role he might have to play in Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby - he has a permanent reminder every day at Sunderland's training ground.

Gordon walks past a photograph at the Academy of Light of the moment in November 2000 when Thomas Sorensen denied Alan Shearer a penalty that cost Newcastle dearly at St James' Park.

Sunderland went on to win 2-1 that Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Don Hutchison and Niall Quinn goals that cancelled out Gary Speed's early opener. It was, though, a derby best remembered for the moment when Sorensen denied Shearer from the spot.

Now Gordon, looking ahead to this Sunday's visit of the Magpies to the Stadium of Light, would love to play a similar part in the latest meeting of the two North-East rivals.

The 28-year-old once made a vital injury-time save to deny Hibernian a late winner during his days with Hearts, but he is hoping for a repeat of such heroics for the Black Cats.

"People understandably focus on who will be the goal-hero in these games," he said. "In terms of the Wear-Tyne derby, the obvious example is Thomas Sorensen's late penalty save from Alan Shearer back in 2000 when Sunderland won 2-1 at St James Park.

"You cant really forget something like that. Especially when there's

pictures of Thomas save everywhere - especially the training ground.

"Steve hasn't told me to take an extra look at them to get inspiration for Sunday but that was a good moment for this club and one that will always be remembered for a very long time.

"Of course you would like to have a major say in a derby with a save at a crucial moment but that sort of hero moment doesn't happen that often for goalkeeper.

"Id love to be that person but hopefully my time to make a save will come after we've scored a few at the other end. I'll not be going into Sunday's game looking to be the hero. Ill be content just to go out there and do my job and see what happens."

There will be plenty Sunderland fans hoping Gordon's hero moment has not arrived too soon, drawing on the memory of his supersave from Zat Knight during Sunderland's win over Bolton on December 18.

"I don't really remember too much about it," he said. "It was a case of getting back across goal and reacting to the shot. As for the attention, people always comment upon a particular incident over the game. Sometimes it's over the top and others not.

"Put it this way, it didn't affect my preparation for the next game as I was able to put it behind me and carry on with things as normal. I never gave it another thought as two games of football are never the same."

Such heroics between the posts for Sunderland in the last 18 months have led to increased speculation about his future.

Gordon only has another season remaining of the contract he signed when Roy Keane agreed to make him the most expensive goalkeeper in British football in August 2007.

Talks are yet to open over extending the deal, which has led to claims Manchester United and Arsenal are among those monitoring his situation.

Manager Steve Bruce insisted last night that Sir Alex Ferguson has not expressed any form of interest in the Scotland international.

And Gordon said: "There has been nothing happening at all on the contract front. I just play football. If Sunderland want to speak to me they can. If not then I'll just continue playing and doing as well as I can for the club.

"If Sunderland come to speak to me then yes I would welcome the chance to discuss a new contract. I've enjoyed my time here and I'm very happy playing for this club."

Bruce, meanwhile, hopes to have Nedum Onuoha (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (back) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring) all in contention for the visit of Newcastle.