Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

The Scotland international had only recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but he will now be absent until November after suffering a shoulder injury last weekend.

The 26-year-old appeared to dislocate his shoulder in the closing stages against West Bromwich Albion, which saw the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man immediately withdrawn from the action.

Fletcher's injury comes as a further blow to the Black Cats, who sacked manager Paolo Di Canio on Sunday with the club currently in last position in the Premier League table.