Sunderland have been dealt an injury blow as defender Lamine Kone is expected to face between eight and 10 weeks on the sidelines.
The Ivory Coast international played no part in last weekend's Tees-Wear derby defeat to Middlesbrough after picking up the knee injury in training.
Kone was initially expected to be out for a maximum of two months, but that now appears to be the best that the 28-year-old can hope for.
A Sunderland statement confirmed that Kone, who was not selected for his national side's World Cup qualifying playoff against Morocco, will now begin his rehabilitation with club medical staff on Wearside.
The Black Cats are currently bottom of the Championship table after 16 games and without a manager.
