Steve Bruce has revealed that Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck are unlikely to play again this season.
Gyan and Welbeck set to miss rest of season
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has revealed that Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck are unlikely to play again this season.
The strikers both had to be substituted with hamstring injuries in the 4-2 victory over Wigan at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
On-loan Manchester United youngster Welbeck was withdrawn after just 25 minutes and Gyan followed early in the second half, not long after scoring Sunderland's opener.
Welbeck has now returned to Manchester for a scan, while Gyan is being treated by Sunderland's medical team.
The Black Cats have just four games remaining in the Premier League and Bruce admitted after training on Tuesday that he did not expect to be able to call on either of his main frontmen again this term.
"We've lost Welbeck and Gyan and it's unlikely they'll play again this season," Bruce told the club's
official website.
"It's all over three weeks on Saturday. The collateral damage has been huge.
"The win was the most important thing for us last Saturday but, for me, it still doesn't hide the facts of the game.
Bad situation
"I've had to make substitutions before half-time again and that's the big thing. We have to find out why.
"Yes, we're back on track a little with the win but we've only got 13 or 14 players training instead of 24, which is a sad situation."
Bruce's attacking resources have been severely depleted, with Fraizer Campbell set to miss most of next season after being booked in for knee surgery.
Sunderland have struggled since selling star striker Darren Bent in January and without Gyan, Welbeck or Campbell, it remains to be seen who Bruce will select up front against Fulham this weekend.
Stephane Sessegnon was pushed forward in Saturday's win over Wigan and scored from the penalty spot, while midfielder Jordan Henderson also struck twice.
The victory against Wigan came after a dismal run of eight defeats in nine games that had sucked Sunderland into the relegation dogfight, but they are now back in mid-table after passing the 40-point barrier.
