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Sunderland’s Anton Ferdinand is set to be out of action for at least a month after sustaining an ankle injury during last weekend’s 1-0 loss away to Fulham.

The 24-year-old defender, the younger brother of Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand, is now facing several weeks out, starting with this weekend’s Premier League match against Portsmouth, after tangling with Erik Nevland.

“It’s a nasty one for Anton,” manager Steve Bruce told the Sunderland Echo on Thursday.

“Nevland’s body weight came down on the ankle when they went to ground and he’s no chance of being ready for the weekend.

“He’s got no chance for Saturday and it looks like it could be a month at least for him.

“It’s disappointing for him and disappointing for me,” added former Manchester United centre-half Bruce, whose Sunderland side are tenth in the table.

Ferdinand’s injury comes on top of George McCartney’s struggles with a hamstring problem while John Mensah is out with a calf injury.

Both Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley are suspended for the match against basement club Portsmouth.

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