Sunderland have been hit with a double injury blow, as top goalscorer Ross Stewart is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Stewart, who has scored five goals in the Championship already this term, is said to have suffered a grade three tear and despite initial fears he could miss up to 12 weeks, Sunderland expect him to be out of action for between six to eight weeks.
Speaking about his injury, manager Tony Mowbray said: "Ross will be out for six to eight weeks - it could be a little longer, but that will depend on his rehabilitation and the way his body reacts.
"He's a really positive guy and we hope that he will be a quick healer, so we will take it game by game and hopefully he returns quickly.”
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The absence of Stewart, who has been capped twice by Scotland, will be a major cause for concern given the promising partnership he had struck up with new strike partner Ellis Simms.
The 26-year-old scored 26 goals last term as his goals fired the Black Cats to promotion and he had transferred his form to the step up to the Championship. The concern now for Mowbray is how Sunderland replace those goals now the summer transfer window has slammed shut.
Mowbray also confirmed defender Dennis Cirkin, who has started every Championship game this term on the left-hand side of Sunderland's back three, will be missing for two weeks with a hamstring strain.
He added: "Dennis will be out for one to two weeks and it is as slight an injury as you will see, so he should be back in action within a fortnight.
"It is a blow [to lose Ross] and now we have to find a way to score the goals, but we will be positive and we will not be all doom and gloom about how we are going to win games and score. There are players within the squad who are capable of stepping up and our job is to find a way to win, so that's what we will do."
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