Gordon among nine released by Sunderland

As expected, goalkeeper Craig Gordon is amongst a list of nine who will not be offered new contracts.

The one-time British record signing for a goalkeeper – weighing in at £9m – has been out of favour at the Stadium of Light for the past two seasons following serious injury.

Gordon, 29, has endured an injury-plagued stay on Wearside, making just 88 league starts since signing from Hearts in 2007.

Signed by Roy Keane, Gordon has made just one appearance for the first-team this season, that coming in the 2-2 draw at home to Bolton at the end of April.

The writing was very much on the wall for the Edinburgh-born stopper, who has fallen behind Simon Mignolet and Kieren Westwood in the pecking order since his return to fitness.

Also moving on are young professionals Oumare Tounkara and Jordan Cook.

The strike duo have been on loan at League One sides in 2012; Tounkara with Oldham Athletic, where he made three league starts, scoring once and Cook with Carlisle United, where he notched four in six starts.

Cook made his debut for the Black Cats last season, making three substitute appearances in the league in total.

Frenchman Tounkara never made a senior appearance for Sunderland.

Youngsters Trevor Carson, Lewis King, Liam Bagnall, Jordan Lavender, James Brace and Brett Elliott will also leave the club on June 30.

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