Sunderland are looking on course to make an immediate return to the Championship this season as they currently sit 3rd in the League One table. 

Jack Ross' side have only been beaten twice in the league this season and will be hoping they can force themselves into the automatic promotion places before this year's campaign reaches a conclusion.

But their promotion hopes were dealt a blow with the news that Duncan Watmore is set for a further spell on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury that will keep him in the treatment room for 8-12 weeks.

Ross broke the news in a recent press conference, and he'll be hoping that other members of his squad can fill the sizeable void left by the promising winger.

The Black Cats take on Walsall this weekend, where they will be keen to extend their 18 match unbeaten run in the league.

But which two players need to step up for Sunderland now in Watmore's absence?

Find out below....

Charlie Wyke 

Wyke has been out of the starting XI for the majority of this season and has made just six starts for the Black Cats which will be hugely frustrating for the forward.

Having scored just once, he'll be keen to prove to Jack Ross what he can offer this Sunderland team for the remainder of this year's campaign.

Kaziah Sterling 

Sterling has struggled for regular game time since he joined Sunderland from Spurs on Deadline Day on a loan deal until the end of the season.

He has made just two substitute appearances in his time with the club and will be hoping to force his way into Jack Ross' starting XI ahead of a crucial period in their league campaign.