Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keeping his “fingers crossed” star striker Darren Bent (11/2 Top Goalscorer) is not facing a potential three week injury lay-off because of a suspected hamstring injury.

Black Cats boss Bruce revealed the World Cup hopeful sustained the injury after hitting his latest goal in the 1-0 Premier League win against Arsenal on Saturday.

The nine-goal top-scorer is an early injury doubt for this weekend’s Premier League trip to Bruce’s old club Wigan (Wigan 6/4 draw 11/5 Sunderland 6/4 match bets).

He told the official club website: “If it is his hamstring, we could be looking at three weeks out.

“We won’t know anything more until the results come back so we will have to keep our fingers crossed.”

Bruce will have a problem up front at the DW Stadium if Bent is ruled out because fellow striker Kenwyne Jones is suspended after being sent off against West Ham in October.

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