STEVE BRUCE fears goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will be facing a “couple of months” on the sidelines and defender John O’Shea will be out of action for a number of weeks.

As well as breaking his nose in a collision with Emile Heskey during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Mignolet fractured an eye socket, which has significantly increased the time he is expected to be out.

The Belgium international’s absence has led to Trevor Carson, who has a minor back problem he picked up before Saturday’s match with Stevenage, being recalled early from a loan spell at Bury.

Carson will provide back-up to Irish goalkeeper Keiren Westwood at Manchester United on Saturday.

Bruce said: “Rather than a couple of weeks it will be a couple of months. The broken nose is as bad as I’ve ever seen and he’s fractured the eye socket as well.

“That’s the reason why I brought in a goalkeeper of Keiren Westwood’s ability.

He’s waited patiently for his chance, he’s done extremely well on Saturday and he’s waited a long time to play in the Premier League.

“Here’s his big opportunity and I think he’ll grasp it.”

Sunderland manager Bruce also suggested O’Shea is facing a further spell on the sidelines with a recurrence of a hamstring problem sustained during pre-season.

The former United defender hobbled off with the injury in the first half of the draw with Villa and is likely to be out for up to three weeks.