CHRIS Maguire will miss the next two months of Sunderland’s promotion push, manager Jack Ross has confirmed this afternoon. 

Scans have revealed Maguire broke his leg during the midweek victory over Gillingham. He will be assessed further next week just to make sure he does not require an operation. 

The former Bury and Oxford forward had forced his way back into the manager’s starting line-up so the timing is a real set-back. 

Ross said: “Chris has a fractured fibula so he'll be out for probably between six and eight weeks. He has another appointment next week just to confirm he doesn't need any surgery but we don't think that will be the case.

“It's a blow for us and a blow for him as well. He's been important for us over the course of the season in terms of goals and assists.

“Over the last game and a bit he was back at those levels that made him so productive for us earlier in the season so it's another thing for us to deal with but it's just what happens over the course of the season.”

But Ross, who revealed Lynden Gooch is also a doubt ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bristol Rovers, feels Maguire has the right mentality to bounce back. 

The Sunderland boss said: “He's frustrated because he just wants to play all the time. He knows he's going to not going to be able to do much for four weeks and he wants to contribute on the park. For the last two or three weeks he hasn't been involved much and he wants to play.

“He knows what lies ahead of us, an exciting end to the season in two competitions that could be really enjoyable. He's already setting targets for when he thinks he can be back.

“He's still upbeat just now and we'll give him a bit of time off which will help him clear his head.

“It's an unfortunate thing for us and I’d prefer not to have it but we can't do anything about it now, we've just got to find a solution to keep winning games in the meantime and hopefully have him back before the end of the season.”