Sunderland's Watmore unlikely to feature again this term
Duncan Watmore is the latest Sunderland player to be hit with a long-term injury.
Black Cats boss David Moyes confirmed Tuesday that the speedy attacking midfielder - nicknamed "Roadrunner" on Wearside - will likely be out for the rest of the season after scans revealed he suffered cruciate ligament damage in a collision with Leicester City's Christian Fuchs on Saturday.
The red-topped youngster, 22, joins Lee Cattermole and Paddy McNair in a lengthy spate of rehabilitation after his teammates sustained respective hip and ACL injuries in November.
Watmore, one of the more enterprising members of Sunderland's attacking batch, has made 14 appearances this season and played a key role in earning his side three wins in its last four outings. Following the weekend's 2-1 win over champion Leicester, when Watmore infiltrated space with ease when drifting in from the right, Sunderland is now one point adrift of safety, rather than eight points short merely five weeks ago.
Without him, Moyes' alternatives include recalling Adnan Januzaj, a loanee from Manchester United, into the starting XI, or reacquainting veteran Steven Pienaar with a spot on the wing. Fit-again Sebastian Larsson and the nearing return of Fabio Borini would provide further options.
Sunderland looks to continue its ascent up the division with three points at bottom-placed Swansea City on Saturday.