Meyler out for rest of the year
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce fears young midfielder David Meyler could be sidelined for up to 12 months by a knee injury.
The 20-year-old Irishman will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and the ligament on the other side of his right knee. Bruce has revealed Meyler will be out of action "until at least Christmas", and could be missing for a year.
He told the club's official website, www.safc.com: "It looks like a really serious injury for the kid. He's in Bradford as we speak and will be operated on Friday."
He added: "We wish him a speedy recovery. It's a nasty end to the season."
Meyler suffered the injury during Sunday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Manchester United.
He was carried from the pitch at the Stadium of Light on a stretcher and Bruce admitted things did not look promising.
The club confirmed on Wednesday morning that initial scans had revealed ligament damage and that the player would consult a specialist this week.
Meanwhile, keeper Craig Gordon will also go under the surgeon's knife this summer, although his need is less pressing.
The 27-year-old Scotland international will have an operation after Sunday's final Premier League game of the season at Wolves to remove a metal plate which was inserted in his arm after he suffered a fracture in a collision with Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe in November. He will then spend part of his summer break back on Wearside rehabilitating before the start of the new campaign.
Bruce could also be without luckless midfielder Lee Cattermole for Sunderland's Barclays Premier League finale at Wolves after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder. The 22-year-old is undergoing tests after damaging his shoulder in a collision in training.
