Arsenal target Jordan Pickford has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.
The goalkeeper sustained the injury in a clash with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Manchester United striker scored his side's second goal in their 3-1 victory at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
The Gunners had enquired about the possibility of taking Pickford on a permanent deal in the forthcoming January transfer window with a view to loaning him back to Sunderland for the remainder of the campaign.
But Arsene Wenger will need to alter his plans after Sunderland boss David Moyes confirmed Pickford will be sidelined for around two months.
Moyes said: "Jordan Pickford has good news and bad news. The good news is he hasn't ruptured his ACL, the bad news is he's strained it.
"We're looking at 6-8 weeks, it's a major disappointment for him and for us because he's been saving us points."
