Papa blow for Pompey

Diop ruled out for three months with knee injury

Last updated: 5th January 2009

Papa blow for Pompey

Diop: Set for sidelines

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Portsmouth have been handed another blow with the news midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury.

The powerful Senegal international strained knee ligaments against Arsenal on 28th December and now faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

And after visiting a consultant, head physio Gary Sadler has confirmed that the former Fulham man will be out for a minimum of 12 weeks.

Damage to Diop's posterior cruciate ligament is of particular worry to the club.

"We'll be taking him back to see the consultant in six weeks and then we'll know a little bit more about it then," Sadler told his club's official website.

"He's in a brace and he's having treatment trying to get some of the swelling down on his knee."

In other Pompey news, Ben Sahar has returned to Chelsea after an unproductive loan spell on the South Coast.

The 19-year-old striker arrived at Fratton Park in July but failed to make a first team appearance for the club.

Sahar will spend the second half of the season with Dutch club De Graafschap.