Sunderland manager Lee Johnson fears that Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead could potentially miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
The forward had been in brilliant form for the Black Cats and headed into last week's Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal with five goals in as many matches.
The 23-year-old was on the scoresheet again at the Emirates Stadium, making the tie 2-1 at the time with a deft finish before League One Sunderland eventually lost 5-1 to their Premier League hosts.
A few minutes after finding the back of the net, Broadhead pulled up with a hamstring injury which forced him off the pitch, and the Everton man looked dejected as he headed down the tunnel.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side's trip to Doncaster on Monday, Johnson revealed his loan star would be out for at least three months - but he fears it could be longer.
He said: “It’s a bad one for Nathan.
“I would say it will be a minimum of three months, but it could be the season.”
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Broadhead missed an earlier part of the campaign through injury but forced his way into Sunderland's plans with a string of fantastic displays after his return.
He had scored eight goals in all competitions for his temporary side before suffering the injury which threatens to derail his campaign at an early stage.
