JAN KIRCHHOFF has dealt Sunderland a huge blow after he was ruled out for up to two months.

Kirchoff has been told he will be out for at least six weeks and that could rise to eight with the hamstring problem he sustained in the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The German international, who missed the start of the season through injury, suffered the problem when he fell awkwardly and he had to be stretchered off. He is the latest Sunderland player to be told he is likely to be out until December.

"Jan Kirchhoff has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunderland's draw against West Bromwich Albion," read a statement.

"The former Bayern Munich player was stretchered off in Saturday's game at the Stadium of Light, and in order to assess the extent of the injury the 26-year-old underwent a scan which revealed he will be out for six to eight weeks. The midfielder will now focus on returning to action as soon as possible."

Sunderland are already without a number of players through injury, including Fabio Borini, Vito Mannone and Seb Larsson who are not due back until December at the earliest.