Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
The 26-year-old picked up the problem during Scotland's 2-1 loss to Wales at Hampden Park last Friday night.
He returned to the North East earlier this week and scans have since revealed that he has damaged ankle ligaments. It is not yet known if he will require an operation, but the club have confirmed that the damage is severe enough to have ended his campaign.
Fletcher, who joined the Black Cats from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, is the club's leading goalscorer this season, having found the net 11 times in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that captain Lee Cattermole will play no further part this season. The midfielder has undergone surgery on a knee injury and will not return to training until the summer.
News of the injuries have come ahead of Sunderland's home encounter against leaders Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Apicella
