Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been dealt another major blow with the news Danny Welbeck is facing two months on the sidelines.
Bruce was set to turn to Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan following the sale of leading goalscorer Darren Bent to Aston Villa earlier this week.
But the on-loan Manchester United striker, 20, could now be sidelined for up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
Bruce said: “Danny was operated on yesterday and it was confirmed he had a torn cartilage and he will be (out for) six to eight weeks.”
He added on the Black Cats’ official website: “Welbeck is the sad thing for me because he was playing out of his skin before he got injured.
“That's the main concern - we've only got Asamoah Gyan at the moment so let's hope we can get one or two people in to get us over the line until the summer.”