Sunderland boss Steve Bruce again blasted England's festive programme after victory over Aston Villa.
Bruce confirmed that midfielder David Meyler had suffered cruciate knee ligament damage and will be out of action for at least six months.
In addition on-loan Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck suffered a hamstring injury which will be scanned tomorrow.
Bruce believes the heavy festive programme is to blame for such setbacks.
He said: "In the Premier League you get players having to play five games in 13 days and players are picking up injuries through fatigue."
He also felt that the late sending off of Boudewijn Zenden for two bookable offences was "the softest red card you will ever see".
Bruce said: "It was a tremendous victory but I think we have now got 10 players missing and we may have to bring one or two bodies in during January."
