The international break remains the biggest cause of injury in top-level football. Some may believe terrible pitches, crunching challenges or late sprints catch players out, but time and time again, the international break sends a timely reminder of its ruthless nature. And this time, it's Sunderland who have fallen victim.

The Black Cats entered the three-week break off the back of a dramatic 5-3 defeat against Manchester City. They pushed Enzo Maresca's men all the way, with Brian Brobbey scoring his first three goals of the season in one afternoon.

After such an impressive display, many believed the Dutchman would pick up where he left off after the international break. In all too familiar fashion, however, injury has struck.

Brobbey injury couldn't have been timed any worse

Fresh from a hat-trick against Man City, Brobbey strolled into the Dutch national team with all the confidence in the world, only for his game against Germany to come to an abrupt end. Pulling up with injury, the forward was instantly substituted and has since dropped out of the Netherlands camp.

Sunderland have been left to sweat whilst they wait for an official update, with ex-PSV doctor Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband describing the injury as 'serious'.

That would be the worst possible news for those at the Stadium of Light, who have both domestic and European commitments coming up in the coming weeks.

With seven games in 21 days after the international break, Sunderland will be playing, on average, a game every three days. If Brobbey's injury is serious, then he could miss every single one of those games.

When looking at Regis Le Bris' striker options, it's becoming clear that he'll need to get creative or dip into the free agent market if Sunderland are to balance their fixture congestion.

Aside from Wilson Isidor, who can't play every three days, the Black Cats do not have a proven striker to turn to on the biggest stage.

Sunderland could sign "one of the best strikers in the world"

The transfer window may be closed, but that should not stand in the way of an incredibly exciting signing for Sunderland. And they would not need to spend a single penny to make it happen.

If they are to be without Brobbey for an extended period, then they must welcome a world-class option who has all the experience in the world when playing on the European stage. That option is Mauro Icardi.

The former Inter Milan striker is still a free agent after leaving Galatasaray in the summer and links with Everton suggest that he is very much there for the taking,

Sunderland should swoop in, hijack Everton, and offer the 33-year-old an instant return to European football. As a free agent, he could even go down as one of the signings of the season.

Once dubbed "one of the best strikers in the world" by Gennaro Gattuso, Icardi is a veteran striker these days, but one who still has more to offer.

For Sunderland, this is a chance to welcome a player who has scored 280 goals during his club career and played for the likes of Inter and Paris Saint-Germain. They won't get a better, or cheaper, opportunity to replace Brobbey if the Dutchman faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Whether Le Bris takes that option is now the big question. If he doesn't, then he must find an internal solution as fixtures come thick and fast after the international break.