Report: Borini sidelined 3 months with torn groin ligament

Sunderland striker Fabio Borini has been ruled out for three months after sustaining a torn groin ligament during a 1-1 draw with Southampton, reports BBC Sport.

Borini suffered the injury while taking a free kick and had to leave the match midway through the second half.

The 25-year-old Italian had started two of Sunderland's three Premier League fixtures, and manager David Moyes will be left with Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore as his only out-and-out strikers until December.

The Black Cats failed to procure Steven Naismith's signature on transfer deadline day, further compounding the barrenness of its attacking ranks.

Moyes will hope his active players can cope, as Sunderland currently sits 16th in the league, with two losses and one draw this season.