The big striker was hurt just before half-time when an attempted clearance struck him at point-blank range.

He received treatment on the sidelines before being helped down the tunnel, and Roy Keane revealed later: "It's a cracked wrist, and he's going to be out for something like six weeks.

"He's going to need a cast on the injured wrist. It was a bit of a freak injury, but they happen in football."

Jones will be hugely disappointed to miss out on the friendly against England in his home county on Sunday, June 1, but his club are unlikely to be quite so upset.

With even Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitting yesterday that it is hard to hang on to star players, Sunderland could do without their star man turning in a star performance against England in a quiet summer.

Transfer activity is likely to reach fever pitch in the weeks ahead, and an eye-catching performance by Jones would not have done Sunderland any favours given the fact the ex-Southampton man is already being eyed with interest by England's leading clubs.

Sunderland can also count themselves fortunate at the timing of the injury, given how influential Jones has been for the club this season.

Keane admitted: "It's a blow for Kenwyne and a blow for us, but if there was ever a time for it to happen, then you'd choose the last hour of the season.

"The injury is not too serious, but it will keep him out for the next six weeks or so. After that it will be just be back to normal."

With the season not cold yet, transfer speculation has already begun with a host of papers linking Sunderland to a host of names.

Roy Keane told the Gazette last week that he didn't expect any immediate influx of players in the next month or so.

However that hasn't stopped the rumour mill, and according to the weekend's papers the manager is planning a £10m swoop for Reading's Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle, as well as bids for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan, Celtic's Aidan McGeady, Manchester City's Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland, Sheffield United's Michael Tonge and James Beattie, Albert Adomah of Barnet, and Carlton Cole of West Ham.

More credible is the suggestion that several of last summer's signings are to be allowed to leave in the close season - including Kieran Richardson and Paul McShane - both of who have initially been linked to West Bromwich Albion.

Marton Fulop has previously signalled his intention to leave this summer in order to pursue first-team football.

Plymouth Argyle want Russell Anderson, while there will be a host of Championship clubs looking to take Graham Kavanagh.