The Black Cats head to Manchester City on Monday without suspended pair Greg Halford and Paul McShane, and Halford will also miss out on the eagerly-awaited derby showdown with Newcastle United on November 10.

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It means another defensive change for Sunderland, who have fielded six different back lines already this season in 11 Premier League matches.

Gordon, who cost £9million from Hearts in the summer but has kept just one clean sheet – against Tottenham on the opening day – said of the defensive worries: "It's not ideal, but it's the way things tend to work out in the Premier League.

"You need a good squad and you have to have players who can come in and do a job.

"It's part and parcel of being in this league and we will have to deal with it and improve on it.

"We haven't got an awful lot of defenders available and it's an obvious problem.

"Russell Anderson is still recovering following an operation, and he's desperate to come back.

"Paul McShane is still suspended, Greg will be banned and there have been regular changes."

Ian Harte could make his first Sunderland start against City – after three substitute appearances.

His introduction in Saturday's draw with Fulham saw Danny Collins move to right-back, but a more obvious right-back for the City game is Nyron Nosworthy, with Collins perhaps partnering Danny Higginbotham in the centre.

The only other options could be Grant Leadbitter or Dickson Etuhu dropping down from midfield, or youth-team full-back Michael Kay, who was on the bench for the visit to Manchester United in September.

Gordon is relishing his first taste of the Premier League, and is confident for the future, despite Sunderland sitting too close to the drop zone for comfort.

"We're scoring a lot of late goals and that's a great thing to have in your locker," said Gordon.

"It shows that we're a fit team, because we're still going at the end and trying to get a goal, whether it be an equaliser or a winner.

"We've done that on a number of occasions and I hope we continue to do it. It's about fitness, but it's also about belief and character.

"We've got a group of players who are willing to fight and to work for each other right until the end."

Kenwyne Jones' late goal earned a draw against Fulham after a disappointing performance, and Gordon said: "On the whole, the result against Fulham was perhaps a fair one.

"For a home game, we didn't start too well, but we showed character to come back and take something from it.

"You never know, that could prove to be a vital point at the end of the season."