Southampton goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski is likely to miss the rest of the season.
Southampton goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski is likely to miss the rest of the season.
The 18-year-old needs surgery on torn cartilage after damaging his knee during Saturday's FA Cup defeat against Newcastle United.
He will certainly miss the next two months, although it is expected that he will aim for the pre-season as a realistic comeback target.
That leaves The Saints with Paul Smith as their only fit keeper, and manager George Burley will now scour the loan market for cover.
"I am hoping Paul Smith stays fit - otherwise we may have to use Dexter Blackstock again!" he told the club's official website.
"It's a real blow for Bart who has done so well for us. He has kept four clean sheets in seven games and is a big talent."
Striker Blackstock was forced to don the gloves for the final ten minutes of the Newcastle game when Bialkowski was stretchered off after Southampton had already used their allotted three substitutions.
