Sunderland hero Gordon Armstrong admits Steven Fletcher's ankle injury is a massive blow.
Sunderland face Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle in their next three games.
Armstrong told Sky: "He (Fletcher) is the guy who has got us the goals and will be a big miss.
"It's now a chance for the other guys to come in and score some goals.
"If we are to miss him for a while we need somebody to step up to the plate and score us goals."