Sunderland have been handed more than their fair share of injury blows and general setbacks since the start of the 2010/2011 Premier League season, but the latest piece of injury news to come their way is perhaps the most alarming and disappointing of them all.

Steve Bruce, the man who has had to lead his team through the trials and tribulations of the Premier League despite all of their well-documented injury problems, has been informed that striker Fraizer Campbell may be forced to sit out the majority of next season as he attempts to make a full recovery from a knee operation scheduled for this week.

Campbell, who signed for Sunderland nearly two years ago, became an instant fans’ favourite upon arrival at Sunderland, the forward moving from Manchester United in the summer of 2009, but damaged his cruciate ligament in August of last year and has found it impossible to make a full recovery ever since, with a twisted knee further hindering his attempt to make a successful return to the first team in early April.

Campbell should still have a bright future in the game, even if he is forced to sit out many months of league action, with the Sunderland man only 23 and already intent on proving his quality at the top level after scoring seven goals for the Black Cats.

However, that said, the question now must be asked as to how the Sunderland manager will inspire his squad throughout the rest of the campaign, with the club’s injury list now a truly depressing sight. With Danny Welbeck, an on loan striker from Manchester United, suffering badly from a hamstring injury, and with crucial defender Titus Bramble informed that he won’t be able to return to the first team before the current season ends, these are surely troubling times indeed for Sunderland fans.

Sunderland fans will keep faith in a manager who has worked wonders with the club but Bruce will certainly be feeling the heat, there’s no doubting that.

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