There were times when Craig Gordon must have craved anonymity since Sunderland made him the most expensive goalkeeper in British football history last summer, but it is doubtful whether he is relishing it now. Roy Keane has warned the high-profile Scotland player that he faces an extended spell on the sidelines as he attempts to rebuild his confidence.

While Gordon has not been a particular culprit during Sunderland’s struggle to hoist themselves from the lower reaches of the Barclays Premier League, the 24-year-old has conceded 29 goals in his 14 appearances for the club, including seven in their recent hammering by Everton at Goodison Park. He is also suffering from his country’s narrow failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

For Gordon’s protection, Keane decided to withdraw the goalkeeper, whose transfer from Heart of Midlothian cost £9 million, from the line of fire for last weekend’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Derby County, in which Darren Ward, his replacement, performed solidly. Gordon was on the substitutes’ bench for that match and, according to his manager, his exile will continue for a while longer.

“The lad’s been under pressure, so missing a few games will do him a world of good, mentally more than physically,” Keane said. “I’m delighted with him, but I have got to look at what’s best long term and he’ll get the benefits of it without a doubt, to miss a few games. It was a call I had to make. I am just trying to freshen it up because I have got lads waiting in the wings for a chance.

“Since he’s come here, a lot of the pressure might be away from the club and he’s had a disappointment with the Scotland team. I wouldn’t blame him for any of the goals last week because we probably would have needed five ‘keepers against Everton. Defenders take responsibility for that. But any player left out will be disappointed. He won’t enjoy that.”

It has been a frustrating wait for Ward, who, until his reprieve against Derby, had made only one appearance for Sunderland this season – and that a deflating 3-0 Carling Cup defeat away to Luton Town, the struggling Coca-Cola League One club. Having seized his opportunity, however, he will expect to start their next match and aims to recapture the form that helped to push the club to promotion last season.

“I was surprised at being selected,” Ward, 33, said. “Craig Gordon is an excellent goalkeeper and the club shelled out a lot of money on him, so I expected him to play a few games. But it’s the manager’s call and he’s made the decision and it’s up to me now. It’s a goal of mine to be playing regularly. To achieve what we did last season gave me more hunger, so, personally, the start of this season was disappointing.

“But the lads have been really supportive and I’d like to continue playing and keep my place in the side. Craig is a great lad. I can’t even dislike him for coming in and taking the shirt I had last year. He is a joy to work with. He’s very dedicated in his approach to goalkeeping and we have plenty of banter in training.

“We get on particularly well, even though we are both fighting it out for just one place. Ultimately, whoever plays, the other wants them to do well for the team. A professional footballer knows his lot and things in football can change very quickly. Certainly throughout my career, it has been a case of taking the rough with the smooth.”