SUNDERLAND defender Niall Huggins has been ruled out for the rest of the season and needs surgery on his knee after the Black Cats confirmed the full-back has suffered a "significant injury".

Huggins was forced off in the late stages of last week's home defeat to Coventry City, with scans now confirming the bad news.

It's a huge blow for the talented defender, who looked to have put two years of injury hell behind him and has been one of Sunderland's best and most consistent performers in the first half of the season.

After a rotten run of injury misfortune which limited Huggins to just two starts over the course of his first two seasons with the Black Cats after joining from Leeds, the defender appeared to have got his career back on track and has started 17 of Sunderland's 24 Championship games this term.

But he now faces another long spell on the sidelines.

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A club statement confirming the bad news said: "Sunderland AFC confirms that Niall Huggins will undergo surgery after suffering a significant knee injury.

"The Wales international was withdrawn in the 85th minute of the Club’s fixture versus Coventry City after landing awkwardly.

"Although no specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage, it is expected that the defender will miss at least the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

"Everyone at SAFC is supporting Niall at this incredibly difficult time and will be working hard to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."