Duncan Watmore is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

The news comes as a bitter blow for the 22-year-old who missed the last six months of the 2016-17 season, as well as the start of the current campaign, while recovering from the first injury which he picked up in December 2016.

After returning against Preston North End in September, Watmore featured regularly under Simon Grayson and re-established himself as a key member of the first-team squad, but once again his involvement has been curtailed by a cruel twist of fate.

Speaking to safc.com, Chris Coleman confirmed the news before wishing Watmore a speedy recovery.

"This season probably won’t happen for him,” admitted the Sunderland manager.

"I told Duncan on Sunday, if it’s bad news then the worst thing you can do is put a time on it, but he’ll be chasing time as he’ll want to be back."

He continued: "Life is frustrating sometimes as he’s desperate to play football and desperate to play for Sunderland.

“He's worked so hard to get back, he’s such a bright player, so to lose a player like him was a big blow to everybody.

“He had surgery today so it’s as we feared and it’ll be another long one for him, but forget me and forget us, he’s a young man with a real good career ahead of him and he’s a good guy who loves his football.

“He’ll be devastated and we have to take care of him, however long it takes, and he’ll be back I’m sure about that.”