Defoe collided with Gordon during Spurs’ recent 2-0 victory over the Black Cats.
Gordon reacted angrily and believed the England striker could have done more to prevent the collision.
However, Defoe insists he would never intend to deliberately hurt anybody on the football field and has offered an apology to Scotland’s first-choice glove-man.
“It was a funny one, the ball got played through and I thought I could get a toe in. But there was no intention to hurt him," he told Sky Sports News.
“So I talked to Darren Bent to text him and apologise and I did that – I think he is out for a couple of months so if he is watching I am sorry, he knows that is not my game.”
Defoe also admitted his disappointed at not being selected in Fabio Capello’s starting line-up against Brazil last weekend.
The former West Ham and Portsmouth striker had been in fantastic form for his country prior to Saturday’s friendly in Doha, but Defoe is confident he can regain his place ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
“I think in the games I have played I have got my goals, and so the manager is happy," he said.
“The other day it would have been nice to play, but I understand it was a chance for him to see players who haven’t played.”
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