Sunderland boss David Moyes has seen Jason Denayer hand him a fresh injury blow.
The Daily Mail says Denayer who has been ruled out for up to four weeks.
The Belgian defender tore his adductor muscle during his country's Under 21 international against Montenegro last Friday.
Sunderland face two crucial away matches — Stoke on Saturday and West Ham a week later — as they battle to get away from the foot of the Premier League.