Wes Brown faces eight weeks out with knee injury

Sunderland defender Wes Brown is likely to be sidelined for eight weeks by his knee injury.

The former Manchester United man damaged a knee during Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough .

Manager Martin O'Neill said: "We don't think he needs the operation but you are looking at probably about eight weeks before he is back.

"But, at one stage, it looked like a season-ending injury."

Midfielder David Vaughan could also be missing for several weeks after damaging ankle ligaments during the same game.

O'Neill said: "David was feeling better today, but he is still very, very sore and the swelling is still up. We are looking at a few weeks for him."