VICTOR ANICHEBE has hit Sunderland with yet another injury blow after it was confirmed the striker will not play again for ten weeks.

Scans have revealed the 28-year-old suffered knee ligament damage during Saturday’s latest defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Anichebe only came on with 24 minutes remaining against the Baggies and that was his first outing since recovering from a hamstring problem sustained at Burnley on New Year’s Eve.

The former Everton striker missed four games at the start of January and his absence is a real frustration for manager David Moyes, who has become reliant on him as a key member of his forward line.

Eyebrows were raised by Sunderland supporters after the Nigerian joined as a free agent at the beginning of September. He scored three goals during a promising run of form for Sunderland that has given them a fighting chance of staying up.

Anichebe admitted his misfortune had left him feeling the lowest he has since suffering a serious knee injury in a challenge with then Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan back in 2009.

Writing on his Instagram account, Anichebe said: "If I was to say I was gutted (it) would be a complete understatement. This is probably the worst I've felt about getting injured since that horrendous tackle in 2009!

"I don't usually cry like that, but this has been a really hard one to take as I feel so settled here and know I'm important to the team. And just as I was getting back to my best and even better... his happens.

"I know you guys are very frustrated just as I am, but sometimes these things happen, I don't know why. I just have to be as positive as I can, pray and do the work needed to be back as quick as possible..I've been here before and came out stronger and I will again."

However, Anichebe is now the latest lengthy blow to a Sunderland squad being depleted by injury as Moyes looks to guide the club to safety.

With a real lack of funds available to significantly strengthen his squad before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, the Sunderland boss has to face up to a severely weakened squad, which has had experienced defender Joleon Lescott added to it.

Moyes now only has Jermain Defoe, Fabio Borini and 17-year-old Joel Asoro as recognised strikers with either first team or international experience. He is looking at bargain options in the transfer market.

Duncan Watmore is already sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, so Adnan Januzaj is the other contender to play through the middle should he be required, although he is more of a winger.

Anichebe is the tenth player to be in the treatment room. It is still hoped that Javier Manquillo and Steven Pienaar will recover from their calf problems before Tuesday’s visit from Tottenham. Jason Denayer’s groin injury should have subsided before that date.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfielder Lynden Gooch are not expected back until mid-February at the earliest, while Jan Kirchhoff and Lee Cattermole will not be back until March.

Both Paddy McNair and Watmore are missing until next season with their cruciate knee problems.