Mannone's 3-month absence has Sunderland scouring transfer market

London - Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone will be out of action for at least three months after tearing elbow ligaments, manager David Moyes revealed on Friday.

Moyes said the club was waiting to see if the 28-year-old former Arsenal player would require surgery, but he is already planning to bring in a replacement.

"Vito has torn ligaments in his elbow and we're waiting to see whether it will require surgery. A minimum of three months," Moyes told a press conference.

"We definitely need to look for another goalkeeper because we only have a young keeper after Jordan Pickford."

Sunderland has lost 2-1 to Manchester City and Middlesbrough in its first two Premier League games and visits Southampton on Saturday.