Gaston Ramirez and Dejan Lovren out for up to eight weeks

Southampton's Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramirez have both been ruled out for six to eight weeks after suffering similar injuries during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

The pair left on stretchers with ankle ligament damage within minutes of each other at the Stadium of Light.

Ramirez was injured after a tackle by Black Cats defender Wes Brown.

"We can confirm it is a serious injury," Southampton assistant manager Jesus Perez told BBC Radio Solent.

Winger Ramirez, 23, was sent to hospital in the North East for scans, while 24-year-old defender Lovren, who was injured making a challenge, was treated by medical staff at the ground.

"The medical staff are preparing a strategy to get them back as soon as possible," added Perez.

"They have a similar ankle injuries, both ligament, one right and the other left ankle. It will be the same period between six and eight weeks."