Sunderland: David Moyes reveals Jack Rodwell has sustained ligament damage - and delivers update on Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar

Rodwell sustained the injury in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Stoke, and was unable to play any part in Tuesday’s FA Cup replay defeat at Burnley.

• David Moyes admits Sunderland need 'multiple signings' before the transfer window closes

It was initially feared the 25-year-old had suffered a serious injury to his knee, but scans have revealed the problem is not as severe as first thought.

Rodwell has sustained some damage to his ligaments, but they have not been severed and it is hoped he will recover without the need for surgery with a couple of weeks rest.

He will miss Saturday’s league game at West Brom, but with Sunderland then having a blank weekend because of their FA Cup exit, he could be available for the club’s next outing at home to Tottenham on January 31.

“Jack had a medial ligament injury and was scanned on Tuesday,” said Moyes. “He got it in the game on Saturday. The scan has not really come up with anything, so I’m hoping it shouldn’t keep Jack out for too long.

“He’s just beginning to get a few games under his belt, so to have to take him out again is another blow. The only positive is that I don’t think we’re talking weeks and weeks.

“They (the medical staff) were worried that he’d opened up his medial ligament, but the scan has not shown a great deal so we’re hoping that he might just have to stay off it for a week or so. Let’s see how he is.”

Moyes was also able to deliver a positive progress report on Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar, with both players approaching their return to full fitness.

Both Anichebe and Pienaar have been running on the training ground this week, and it is hoped the duo will be able to take part in a full-contact session before the weekend.

It is unlikely they will be risked in the starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to the Hawthorns, but they could feature in the squad and should be back to the peak of their powers by the time Sunderland entertain Spurs.

“Victor is back doing some running, and there’s a chance he could join back in full training this week,” said Moyes. “But he’s not joined the team in training yet. Steven is at a very similar stage. He’s doing a little bit of running as well, and hopefully they’ve both got a chance of joining in training before the end of the week.”

Moyes switched to a five-man backline at Turf Moor on Tuesday, and the tactical reshuffle was reasonably effective despite his side’s defeat.

The Black Cats were much more solid than they had been in their league defeat to Burnley, although Sean Dyche’s changes meant they were up against inferior opposition.

Nevertheless, playing five at the back is a viable option as Moyes looks to improve his side’s Premier League defending, with Lamine Kone not due to return from the Africa Cup of Nations for at least another fortnight.

“We’ve tinkered with things in some of the games,” said Moyes. “We played slightly differently against Liverpool, and then slightly differently again against Chelsea, and then (at Burnley) we did something else again.

“We looked to see how it (five at the back) would work, but it was also because we hadn’t played that well against Burnley in the other games. I wanted to try something else and see if we could find another way of causing problems.”

Moyes’ other key alteration was the promotion of George Honeyman to the starting line-up, and having made his third senior appearance on Tuesday, the 22-year-old midfielder is determined to prove his value with Sunderland’s squad being stretched to the limit.

“I just want to help the team,” said Honeyman. “We’re obviously in a bit of a sticky situation at the moment – we haven’t got many players – and I feel like I can help the team. Hopefully, I’ve shown I can do a bit for the team, I just want to have a positive impact on the place.

“I’ve had to be patient, but with all the injuries and stuff, I’ve always felt that I was going to play some sort of part. I just had to keep mentally ready. I just wish it was more of a positive impact, but hopefully that will come.”