Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has conceded that goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is unlikely to play again this season after illness delayed his shoulder operation.
The 29-year-old has not played in two months and was scheduled to go under the knife to correct his injury, but has recently fallen unwell, meaning that surgery is no longer an option in the immediate future.
Poyet told reporters: "It has been postponed because of a little illness. You cannot have an operation when you are ill, so he is on antibiotics now."
Asked how long the player is likely to be out, the Uruguayan said: "I would like to say three to four months. Now, if you are going to think when is the season going to finish, it's probably to the end, yes."
Westwood has made 11 appearances for the Black Cats this term after taking over the gloves from the now-departed Simon Mignolet, and Vito Mannone has been deputising in his absence.
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