Ross Stewart ruled out of Scotland triple-header as Sunderland striker suffers injury setback

The Sunderland frontman is facing at least six weeks on the sidelines after damaging a thigh muscle ahead of Monday night’s Tees-Wear derby.

The twice-capped 26-year-old, who has scored five goals in seven Sky Bet Championship appearances for the promoted Black Cats this season, was forced to withdraw from the team for the 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough after sustaining an injury in the warm-up.

A scan has revealed significant damage and the former Ross County hitman now faces a period of rehabilitation which could keep him out for between six and eight weeks.

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart will miss Scotland's upcoming triple-header through injury. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Head coach Tony Mowbray told the club’s official website: “Ross will be out for six to eight weeks – it could be a little longer, but that will depend on his rehabilitation and the way his body reacts.

“He’s a really positive guy and we hope that he will be a quick healer, so we will take it game by game and hopefully he returns quickly.”

Stewart made his international debut earlier this year, appearing as a substitute in a Nations League game against Armenia on June 8 before doing likewise in the 3-0 defeat to Ireland in Dublin three days later.

Scotland are facing a triple-header later this month as Steve Clarke’s side host Ukraine and Ireland in back-to-back home fixtures at Hampden Park on September 21 and 24, before travelling to Poland, the temporary base for Urkraine, in the away fixture against the war-torn nation on September 27.