Sunderland's Borini out for three months

London (AFP) – Sunderland forward Fabio Borini has been ruled out for up to three months after suffering a groin injury.

Borini, 25, tore an adductor muscle while taking a free-kick during Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Southampton.

The former Liverpool player’s injury is the latest blow to new Sunderland manager David Moyes, who already has to do without goalkeeper Vito Mannone for three months.

Sebastian Larsson is also sidelined while fellow midfielders Lee Cattermole and Jan Kirchhoff have not managed a single appearance so far this season.

“Borini, we expect to be out for three months, that is a rough guide. There is a chance it could be a bit quicker,” Moyes told the Sunderland Echo on Thursday. 

“We are being told it is three months though, an adductor that came off the bone.”

Borini’s misfortune has left Moyes with just one senior striker in Jermain Defoe.

Youngsters Duncan Watmore and Joel Asoro, who is just 17, will provide back-up for Defoe after Moyes’ search for reinforcements during the transfer window ended in frustration.