JOHN O’SHEA believes he can give Sunderland the Premier League experience required to boost the battle to turn things around - despite the blow of having Jan Kirchhoff 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."

O’Shea, meanwhile, played his first 90 minutes in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the season when he was preferred to £8m man Papy Djilobodji against West Brom on Saturday.

He was back at the heart of the defence rather than in the midfield role he operated against Manchester City on August 13 and he was one of Sunderland’s best players against West Brom.

O’Shea’s display will have earned him a spot against Stoke City in ten days’ time too, provided he does not suffer any problems while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland against Georgia and Moldova.

Sunderland are in desperate need of every lift they can get after starting the campaign with just two points from seven matches and O’Shea is confident he can help the cause – even if he knows shutting teams out will be crucial in the months ahead.

"It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt,” said the Irishman. “I feel I can help this team right now, and that's important for me, but we're disappointed we didn't get that clean sheet on Saturday because that's what we were hoping for.”

Sunderland have conceded in all of their Premier League outings so far, which has placed further onus on the team’s attacking output at a time when they only have Jermain Defoe as a recognised striker with experience.

Victor Anichebe is still building up his match fitness while teenager Joel Asoro is finding his feet so should not be relied on to provide a regular alternative to Defoe. Fabio Borini is out for the longer term.

O’Shea said: “With those clean sheets we'll get wins on board, Jermain (Defoe) will see to that, although we are so reliant on him, we need all the lads to chip in and get goals.

“Patrick van Aanholt, to be fair to him, has got a couple now, but we need more. From set pieces, we need to create more chances, we've got to take the pressure off Jermain.”

Sunderland could have done with defeating West Brom but the fact they came from behind to claim a point is at least something. Prior to that the Stadium of Light had seen Moyes’ side lose to Crystal Palace, Everton and Middlesbrough, conceding eight goals in the process.

O’Shea said: "We'd lost our previous three at home, so that point probably does more to change the mood than it does our league position, without a doubt.

“We want that first win as quickly as possible and it's disappointing it didn't come. Clean sheets are a big thing as well but the attitude against West Brom was first class and the subs did well with Pat getting the goal.”

Sunderland’s situation has not been helped by a growing injury list. They currently have more injuries than any other team in the top-flight after Kirchhoff took the total to nine.

O’Shea, 35, said: "We're picking up a few injuries, hopefully the international break will give time for a few bodies to heel. We could do with a few more to help us out. It's good to have young lads, but we need as much experience and quality to get up the league.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who picked up a thigh problem on Saturday, is expected to be fit for the trip to Stoke, while Anichebe, Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar will look to make sufficient progress over the next two weeks to be considered too. Adnan Januzaj, Fabio Borini, Vito Mannone and Seb Larsson face longer spells out.