Fulop keen to remain first choice

Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop has warned team-mate Craig Gordon that he faces a battle to regain his place in the side when he returns from injury.

Fulop, 25, has been first choice since Gordon aggravated an ankle injury against Bolton in November, and the Hungarian is keen to remain number one.

"I want to keep going even if Craig is back, I want to make it hard for him," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The competition is very good between us and we respect each other."

Sunday's defeat by Everton was Ricky Sbragia's opening game in charge, with mixed reviews from supporters and the media.

However Fulop remains convinced that the players are in support of the appointment and he himself is interested to see how the Scot's tenure unfolds.

"When Ricky told the player that he had been given the job there was a round of applause in the dressing room so that shows the respect he has among the players," he said.

"We want him to be successful around the club because that means we are successful as players."

Fulop joined Sunderland from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in January 2007 for a fee of £500,000 as part of Ben Alnwick's move to the capital.

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