Bramble was due to undergo surgery to repair a damaged knee cartilage on Thursday, but Bruce's dismay increased when it emerged that Turner damaged knee ligaments when he collided with a post during Monday night's 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton and could be sidelined for months. The manager told the club's official website: "It's horrible news. Michael whacked his knee against the post on Monday and damaged knee ligaments. "He will see a specialist today. I believe it could be months rather than weeks, and that's a big blow to us." Bramble also missed out against Everton with damaged knee cartilage and Bruce admitted afterwards that it was likely he would need an operation. A club statement said: "Sunderland defender Titus Bramble will go under the knife today to repair damaged cartilage in his knee. "The 29-year-old was admitted to hospital this morning to repair the injury, which was sustained in training recently." The news will come as a huge blow to Bruce, who has seen his bargain summer buy from Wigan quickly win over his doubters. Bramble's arrival did not meet with universal approval, with some fans remembering his error-prone days with derby rivals Newcastle rather than they way in which he rebuilt his career under Bruce in the North-West. He missed only one of the club's first 13 league games, and that through suspension after he was sent off for two bookable offences during the 5-1 defeat by the Magpies on October 31. He now faces a spell on the sidelines until the new year with Bruce indicating he will be out for "at least six weeks". His place was taken on Monday evening by Anton Ferdinand with Ghana international John Mensah also sidelined by a shoulder injury.
