Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been left ruing the absence of Ghana's Asamoah Gyan after it was revealed that the striker was unlikely to play again this season.

Gyan was substituted with hamstring injury in the 4-2 victory over Wigan on Saturday likewise striking partner, Danny Welbeck.

With just four games remaining, Bruce does not expect to be able to call on either of his main frontmen again this term.

"We've lost Welbeck and Gyan and it's unlikely they'll play again this season," Bruce told the club's official website.

"It's all over three weeks on Saturday. The collateral damage has been huge."