Sunderland striker Fabio Borini is facing up to three months on the sidelines after tearing his groin on his comeback from a toe injury.
It is understood the 25-year-old Italian tore an adductor muscle while taking a free-kick during Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Southampton, his first appearance since the opening day of the campaign.
Although the injury is a major blow, Sunderland have allayed fears the Italian could miss as many as six months, and remain hopeful he will be back in fewer than three.