Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole have both been ruled out for the rest of the season in news that will come as a terrible blow to Martin O'Neill's Sunderland and their bid to escape the drop.
Huge blow for Sunderland as Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole ruled out for the rest of the season
Sunderland have been dealt a huge setback in their bid to avoid relegation after learning that key duo Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole are out injured until the end of the season.
Julian Finney
Striker Fletcher was injured on international duty as he was stretchered off in the opening minutes of Scotland's 2-1 defeat to Wales, and it has now been confirmed that the striker, who is Sunderland's top scorer, has ankle ligament damage and will not play a part in the run-in.
The next is exacerbated by the revelation that Lee Cattermole, the club captain, has had an operation on his knee and will also miss the rest of the campaign. The news leaves Sunderland in real trouble, as the North-East club is just four points above the relegation zone, with the team in 18th, Wigan Athletic, having a game in hand.
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