Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has been dealt another blow in his comeback from injury.

Bramble, 30, has been out of action since Boxing Day with Achilles and calf injuries, but had been restored to the squad for the game against Swansea.

However, manager Martin O'Neill has revealed that the centre-back has suffered a setback on his road to recovery.

"Titus trained with us last week for two days and because he had had no reaction I put him into the squad for the game on Saturday," O'Neill told The Chronicle.

"However, he came to me on the Friday and said he did not think he would be ready. I said that was fine and he could do more training over the weekend.

"However, having done some training, his Achilles is sore again and that is why he missed out again on Tuesday night."

Bramble joined Sunderland in 2010 after three years at Wigan Athletic.