Gordon was beaten by a late Benni McCarthy header in the FA Cup

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon said he is aiming to feature in the World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands after returning from an ankle injury.

The Sunderland number one, 26, played in the 2-1 defeat by Blackburn in the fifth-round of the FA Cup on Wednesday - his first start since November.

"I was quite excited and I'd known for a few days I'd be playing," he said after the defeat at Ewood Park.

Gordon joined the Black Cats from Hearts for an initial �7m in 2007.

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia praised Gordon following his display in the FA Cup defeat.

And Gordon revealed it was a relief to get back playing for Sunderland, with Scotland's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign also in mind.

We've got an international get-together next week after the Stoke game and hopefully I can get a few games in Craig Gordon

"It's good to be playing games and you don't know what the situation would be with the national manager if I was out for a longer period of time and then coming back but not playing games," he said.

"So it was nice to get back playing and it's up to the manager if I've put in a good enough performance to stay in for the game at the weekend.

"We've got an international get-together next week after the Stoke game and hopefully I can get a few games in."

The Scotland international has watched from the sidelines as Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop has been in impressive form for the Black Cats.

"Marton's done a good job over recent weeks, but it was nice to get back to show what I'm capable of," he said.

Benni McCarthy struck with a header late in extra-time to deny Sunderland a penalty shoot-out, much to Gordon's disappointment.

"I was quite looking forward to penalties, but it wasn't to be and that's us out of the Cup," he said.

The Scots face the Netherlands in their World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam on 28 March.

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