David Moyes has revealed that Jack Rodwell is facing a ‘week or so’ on the sidelines after suffering a medial ligament injury against Stoke City.
The news comes after the midfielder missed Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup replay against Burnley, as goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray sent Sunderland crashing out of the competition.
Rodwell received praise from Moyes following a return to fitness and form at the back end of the festive period.
And the Sunderland boss is hoping to see the midfielder back in action soon rather than later.
"Jack had a medial ligament injury,” said Moyes. "He was scanned on Monday after getting it in the game on Saturday and the scan has not come up with anything.
“I'm hoping that it shouldn't keep Jack out too long; he's just beginning to get a couple of games under his belt so to have him out [against Burnley] was a blow.”
He added: "They thought that he'd opened his medial ligament so the scan has not shown a great deal.
“We're hopeful that he might just have to stay off it for a week or so and let's see how he is."
Moyes also delivered a positive update on the progress of Steven Pienaar and Victor Anichebe, with the duo pushing for a return to training this week.
"Victor's doing some running and there's a chance he can join back in training this week, but he's not joined the team in training to this point.
“Steven is the same, doing a little bit of running as well, and hopefully he'll have a chance to join in training before the end of the week."
