Sunderland defender Titus Bramble faces at least six weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs to have an operation to repair damaged cartilage in his knee.
The 29-year-old former Ipswich Town and Newcastle United star picked up the injury in training last week.
Bramble, who moved to the Stadium of Light in the summer, has made 13 appearances for the club so far.
Meanwhile, Fraizer Campbell is making good progress from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in the game against Manchester City in August.
The former Manchester United striker said of the time he sustained the injury:"When I went home after the game it didn't feel too bad. The scan wasn't too bad, either. But when I had it the doctor said I would be out for six months and it really hit me that night.
"That was probably the lowest point of my career but I just had to sweep it under the carpet and get on with it. You don't get better by dwelling on things.
"Things are going okay. I'm making slow steps towards my goal. An injury like this sometimes makes me sit back and realise how much I love going out there and playing football."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email