Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that on-loan Bristol City defender Bailey Wright is set to miss the majority of the rest of the season.
Wright moved from the Robins to Sunderland in January in order to get more first-team football and had already established himself as a key part of the Black Cats defence.
The Australian had made five appearances since moving to the Stadium of Light but was taken off with an injury against Oxford United on Saturday with just six minutes remaining.
Speaking to safc.com, Parkinson revealed that the 27-year-old will be out of action for eight-to-12 weeks, meaning he could well miss the rest of the campaign.
"It didn’t look good at the time and further tests have unfortunately confirmed that he will miss eight to 12 weeks," Parkinson said.
"It’s a blow for the squad, but more than anything we are disappointed for Bailey because he’s come into the team and played really well.
"I’m sure he will come back stronger, but as I have mentioned many times before, the lads currently out of the team have been excellent and we have good options available in his absence."
Wright has endured an injury-hit couple of years, having an operation in the summer of 2018 after missing out on the Australia World Cup squad.
He battled back to make 15 appearances for the Robins last season, but also suffered from some niggling injuries.
The defender subsequently tore a muscle in his thigh at the start of this season, and only returned to the City side in November.
With his City contract up at the end of the season, the latest injury is a blow to Wright as he looks to secure himself a deal elsewhere.
