Fear of mistakes drives Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon

Gordon joined Sunderland from Hearts for �9m in 2007

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon says the fear of making mistakes continues to be the driving force behind his current form.

Gordon, 27, impressed in draws with Manchester City and Aston Villa in recent weeks and is determined to maintain his level of performance.

Gordon told BBC Newcastle: "It's the life of the goalkeeper, one mistake and you're back in the depths again.

"I have to guard against that, I have played well and must keep that going."

He added: "It's something I have to deal with and to make sure I'm doing well between now and the end of the season."

Having played Liverpool on Sunday, Gordon face's another of the sides battling for the fourth spot when Tottenham visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Although 17-goal England striker Jermain Defoe is out with a hamstring injury, Sunderland's Scotland international keeper knows they still possess plenty of attacking threat in the shape of Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Niko Kranjcar.

"They've been great going forward, they've got an array of talent at their disposal to come here and try to win the game," Gordon added.

"They're looking good for that fourth spot, I know their run-in is fairly difficult and Liverpool and the other teams about them will put them under a lot of pressure, but they're in pole position at the moment.

"They look as if they're doing well and are in good form. We'll have to be really well organised and make sure that we're right up for it and have a better start than we did at the weekend."