Black Cats striker Campbell ruled out for next season

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, will step up his search for strikers this summer as he resigns himself to losing Fraizer Campbell for a year.

Campbell, who made just four appearances this season because of a cruciate knee ligament injury, yesterday underwent a second operation after breaking down again in training.

Bruce admitted last Friday that his £3.5m signing from Manchester United would miss most of the new campaign if surgery was required and his worst fears have now been realised. Bruce said: "We think he will be OK. I hope he will be. If there's anyone mentally tough enough, it's him."

Campbell's trip to the operating theatre came just 48 hours after goalkeeper Craig Gordon had surgery on his injured knee which will rule him out for up to six months.