The 24-year-old returned to Wearside today to prepare for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Reading having played a leading role in his country's famous 1-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory over France in Paris last night.

That, coupled with Saturday's 3-1 win over Lithuania at Hampden Park, took the Scots to the top of Group B and left them with an excellent chance of reaching next summer's finals.

It also enhanced the reputation of a man who arrived in England from Hearts during the summer with the tag of Britain's most expensive goalkeeper.

Keane, whose protracted pursuit of the Edinburgh-born player finally paid off in August, caused a few raised eyebrows when he agreed to hand over £9million, but insists he never had any qualms about doing so.

He said: "He is a bargain, isn't he? I don't get bogged down by that. The time to judge somebody will be over a number of years at the club.

"I didn't really worry too much about the money that was involved, I have to say.

"He is a young keeper, he still has a hell of a lot to do, he is still improving all the time, and the experience he is having with Scotland will do him the world of good."

Gordon has already impressed for his club, although his heroics against Liverpool and Manchester United could not prevent his side slipping to defeat.

The Black Cats entertain Reading on Saturday having lost each of their last four games, a record they need to address urgently if they are to allow a solid start to life in the top flight to slip away.

Gordon will be a central figure in that fight to turn things around at the Stadium of Light, and Keane, who was privileged to line up in front of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel during their time together at Old Trafford, is convinced there is much more to come from him.

He said: "You try not to get too carried away with a player, especially at my club. I have got to try to keep his feet on the ground.

"But you talk about keepers maturing as they get older and reaching their peaks at a lot older than outfield players.

"We are just hopeful there is a lot more to come from him, which is fantastic for him and for us."

If Gordon's contribution has been one of the pluses of the season to date, injuries have caused more than a few headaches on Wearside already.

Midfielder Kieran Richardson will see a specialist tomorrow about the stress fracture of his back which is threatening to sideline him for up to three months, while Dean Whitehead is already facing six months out with knee ligament damage.

With winger Carlos Edwards having suffered a second hamstring tear, Keane could well have done without further bad news.

However, new signing Andy Cole will be out for several weeks after suffering a calf strain on his debut for the reserves last week, while defender Stanislav Varga is due to undergo surgery on a knee problem which will see him sit out for two to three months.

Keane said: "We all expected injuries during the season, but I would have to say probably not so early in the season.

"That's been a big disappointment, but it just gives other players an opportunity to come in and do well."

However, all that is put into perspective by the plight of defender Clive Clarke, who collapsed during a match while on loan at Leicester last month.

Keane spoke to the 27-year-old earlier this week and is confident he could play again once his recovery is complete.

He said: "Football is not that important when a player comes close to dying.

"Clive's health is the most important thing and we will support him whatever he decides to do.

"But we are also hopeful he can continue to be a professional footballer, why not?"