Whitehead will miss a crucial stage of the season

The 25-year-old midfielder picked up the injury on the eve of the 18 August Premier League game at Wigan.

"It looks as though Deano will need surgery in a couple of weeks," manager Roy Keane told the club website.

"It looks like it's a cruciate so that would rule him out for six or seven months. It's a bitter blow. We're missing his leadership qualities."

Whitehead, who suffered the injury in training, filled in at right-back for their win over Tottenham on the opening day of the season before moving back to midfield for the draw with Birmingham.

606: DEBATE How will Sunderland cope without Whitehead?

Keane added that he was looking to bring in a midfielder before the transfer window closes on Friday and had been given permission to talk to Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham and Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones.

The Sunderland boss said: "I've been saying for a while that we need to strengthen and we'll look to speak to them on Wednesday."