Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley will miss the rest of the season as he prepares to undergo knee surgery.

The 22-year-old full-back is out of Saturday's vital Barclays Premier League clash with Middlesbrough after missing last weekend's derby defeat at Newcastle.

Manager Roy Keane today revealed his January signing from Manchester United will undergo surgery to repair a torn cartilage next week, and although that means he will not figure again before the end of the current campaign, he will be fit for the start of next season.

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