Source: Telegraph
Sunderland face losing Darren Bent for three weeks to hamstring injury
Bruce is now facing an anxious wait to discover whether or not the former Tottenham forward sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-0 victory over Premier Leaguer high fliers Arsenal last weekend. [LNB]Sunderland's nine-goal leading scorer is already regarded as a major doubt for the game against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday, but Bruce will have to sweat on his availability until later this week. [LNB] Related ArticlesBolo Zenden: Sunderland must beat 'unfashionable clubs'Darren Bent determined to win World Cup placeSunderland 1 Arsenal 0Steve Bruce backs up referee complaintsPremier League tableSport on television"Darren has gone away for a scan and we're not expecting the results back until Thursday or Friday, but there is a real worry that it is a hamstring strain," Bruce said. [LNB]"If that turns out to be the case, then we are looking at losing him for a minimum of three weeks. We will not know anything until the results comes back so we will have to keep our fingers crossed." [LNB]There has been a suggestion Bent may have suffered a severe bout of cramp, rather than hamstring damage, but if, as expected, a strain is diagnosed, it would mean he would miss out on the upcoming matches against Wigan, Fulham and Portsmouth. [LNB]It would also put a question mark over his chances of facing more challenging games against Aston Villa and Manchester City before Christmas. [LNB]A lengthy lay-off would also weaken his chances of winning a place in the England squad for next summer's World Cup finals, as he strives to make up for a disappointing showing against Brazil earlier this month. [LNB]Sunderland will be without Bent's fellow striker Kenwyne Jones on Saturday as he completes a three-match ban, but former Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell could be handed a starting slot. [LNB]"It's something we will have to look at, but remember Darren isn't ruled out at this stage," Bruce added. "But we do have options and Fraizer Campbell is certainly a player who deserves a chance up front." [LNB]Northern Ireland striker David Healy will come into contention for the trip to Bruce's old club Wigan, as will Irishman Daryl Murphy, when they take on a side looking to bounce back from a 9-1 drubbing by Tottenham.[LNB]
