Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has suggested that Emanuele Giaccherini is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing ankle surgery.
The 29-year-old is expected to spend a minimum of 12 weeks on the treatment table after having the operation.
Giaccherini suffered a recurrence of the injury during the Black Cats' 3-1 victory over Fulham in their FA Cup replay earlier this month.
"Towards the end of last season when we did the miracle and stayed up he was a very, very important player - he was coming from the bench and changing games," Poyet said in this afternoon's press conference.
"It's tough but I think it's the risk of forward players. We need to be sure he is 100% and we wish him well and hope he will make a full recovery."
Giaccherini previously spent two months on the sidelines with the same ankle problem.
