Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has admitted it is unlikely that Lee Cattermole will return for the club this season.
The Black Cats skipper, who has made just 10 league appearances this season, has been dogged by a succession of knee injuries in recent months.
"Lee has a few more days to go after having had the injection. The specialist told him not to do a great deal and while he is obviously working with the physiotherapist, he is not doing anything that will risk damaging his knee," O'Neill told the Sunderland Echo.
"We hope for the best but, to me, if he comes back this season, then that would be a bonus - and an unexpected bonus. We may have to cope without him and even if he does successfully come back from the injury, he will still be nowhere near match fit."
Sunderland currently sit 15th in the Premier League table.
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