Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will be without centre-back duo Michael Turner and Titus Bramble until the New Year after both suffered injury blows.

The Black Cats have only picked up one point out of six since winning at Chelsea.

And Bruce described the injury loss as “huge”, possibly recalling the problems his side caused a Chelsea team without their centre-backs.

Turner damaged knee ligaments colliding with the post during Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Everton, where striker Danny Wellbeck’s double looked to have set up victory before Mikel Arteta’s late, deflected equaliser.

 

And Bramble requires surgery on the knee injury which kept him out of the Everton encounter and could keep him out for another two months.

Bruce, who partnered Gary Pallister in Manchester United’s defence in the 1990s, said: “We have lost a big partnership that was doing very well.

“I played alongside big Pally and we never missed a game. And that’s what we were heading to with Michael and Titus.”

Turner hurt himself making a goal-line clearance against Everton and Bruce commented: “Michael whacked his knee on the post. He’ll see a specialist and it could be months rather than weeks.”

An injured John Mensah was forced into the side that lost 3-2 at Wolves last Saturday as cover for the injured pair. Bruce praised the Ghanaian, saying:

“He’s put himself in a position for the team when he shouldn’t be playing, his shoulder is dislocated. It’s commendable.”

Seventh-placed Sunderland host EPL bottom-club West Ham this Sunday afternoon.