Sunderland defender Tyias Browning ruled out for the season

Sunderland defender Tyias Browning has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a groin injury.

The 23-year-old, who is on loan at the Championship's bottom club from Everton, suffered the injury during his side's 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa in midweek, and scans have confirmed that it is worse than initially feared.

"Tyias Browning will be out for the rest of the season with his groin. He's done exactly the same as Darron Gibson, so that's a blow," Sunderland boss Chris Coleman told the Northern Echo.

Browning has made 29 appearances for the Black Cats this season and has been hailed as one of their most consistent performers during a troubled campaign.

Gibson, meanwhile, is expected to return to fitness before the end of the season.