TYIAS BROWNING will miss the rest of the season after injuring his groin in Sunderland’s midweek defeat to Aston Villa.

Browning has had a series of scans since leaving the field in the first half of Tuesday’s loss, and the tests have revealed some serious damage. As a result, the Everton loanee will have to sit out the rest of the campaign.

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman is facing something of a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday’s trip to QPR, with John O’Shea also a major doubt after damaging his thigh in the Villa defeat.

Jake Clarke-Salter is unavailable as he serves the final game of a three-match ban, leaving Lamine Kone as the Black Cats’ only natural centre-half for the tip to Loftus Road.

Marc Wilson returned to training earlier today after a long-term absence, but has no chance of being involved in two days’ time.

Coleman said: “Tyias Browning will be out for the rest of the season with his groin. He’s done exactly the same as Darron Gibson, so that’s a blow.

“O’Shea is a doubt at the moment, so we’re probably looking at one natural centre-half in Lamine. Paddy (McNair) is still unavailable and Jake Clarke-Salter is suspended serving his last game.

“We have what we have, but we have to believe we can get a win. We’re restricted in certain areas, but we still have to believe.

“Marc Wilson has been out with his calf, but he’s been back training today. It wasn’t too hard a session, but he came through okay. The weekend is a no-no, and probably the weekend after that, but if he keeps progressing, then in the next two or three weeks, he could be available.”

Gibson will be sidelined for at least another three weeks, but the midfielder could return before the end of the season.

Coleman said: “At best, Darron will be back in a month. That will be the best-case scenario. Three weeks to a month. Then Saturday to Saturday will be a big ask for him I think.”

Sunderland are four points adrift of safety ahead of their trip to QPR – the gap is effectively five once goal difference is taken into account – but despite his side having gone eight games without a victory, Coleman remains convinced the Black Cats are capable of clawing their way to safety.

He said: “Every day, ordinary people do extraordinary things. Not just in football. When you’re right in the middle of it, sometimes you can’t see a way out and you get dragged down. Me personally, I get disappointments after poor performances and that lasts for 24 hours. But there’s always another game and another chance, and that’s where my optimism stays.

“When you’re on a run like we are, in our position, that can have a lasting effect if you let it. Or you change it. In our league, anybody can beat anybody on any given day. It can be changed, and a positive result can send shockwaves in a good way. But we haven’t had one for a while.”