Jones was substituted at half time when the Black Cats went down 1-0 at Blackburn on Wednesday to fall back into the Premier League relegation zone.

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The Trinidad & Tobago hitman has become a firm favourite with fans since his £6million move from Southampton in August but looks set to miss tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie with fellow Premier strugglers Wigan at the Stadium of Light.

Boss Roy Keane will not want to risk 23-year-old in the cup with more important league games to worry about.

And Higginbotham said Sunderland is not a one-man band:

"We miss Kenwyne. He's been a good signing and a big player for the team," said Higginbotham.

"But I thought Daryl Murphy did very well up there for the team when Kenwyne went off at Blackburn.

"We have other able players up front who can do a job.

"You don't just rely on one player to do it for you – it's a team game."

Higginbotham was devastated to concede the penalty that gave Blackburn their victory at Ewood Park after skipper Dean Whitehead had a spot kick saved following a foul on Murphy.

"It was very frustrating for us," he confessed. "We thought at half time that we had a real chance to win it.

"Things did not turn out that way and we can't change it now.
"We have to look forward to the Wigan game.

"The Premier League is the most important thing for us, but you go into every game looking to win.

"Hopefully we can get a good performance, get through to the next round and build our confidence up."

Winger Ross Wallace agreed that any win will be a welcome boost to the Black Cats, even though it won't directly help their bid to remain in the top flight.

He said: "Winning breeds confidence. Our fans will only accept a committed performance, and that's what they'll get.

"I know that a cup run means extra games, but it also means you're winning games and that must be good for confidence."

Wigan's 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Wednesday helped them climb out of the Premier League drop zone at Sunderland's expense.

But Geordie Steve Bruce's Latics will be without Anfield goal hero Titus Bramble, who is suspended after reaching five yellow cards.