Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer has become the latest of Howard Wilkinson's players to join the ranks of the walking wounded.
The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international suffered a slight hamstring injury in the 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday and now faces a race against time to be fit for the clash with Bolton on Saturday week.
With Gavin McCann suspended for the game with Sam Allardyce's side and the trip to fellow strugglers West Ham the following week, Wilkinson could have done without another fitness concern.
Utility man Darren Williams was taken off on a stretcher off during Monday night's 3-2 reserve team defeat by Sheffield Wednesday, while Sean Thornton is due to jet off to the United Arab Emirates for the World Youth Championships later this month.
PA