ANDY COLF'S season is again in ruins as Manchester United's £7 million striker has broken his right leg and also fractured a small bone beneath the left knee.

He was carried off after a challenge by Liverpool's defender Neil Ruddock in a reserve match at Anfield.

Cole, who missed the start of the season after contracting pneumonia, is now likely to be out of action for the rest of the year.

The latest devastating blow for the former Newcastle star came in the 34th minute of United's 3-0 Pontins League win at Liverpool yesterday.

United spokesman Ken Ramsden confirmed: "Andy Cole fractured his right fibula and a bone below his left knee during yesterday's win over Liverpool reserves at Anfield.

"He is expected to be in plaster for three to four weeks and it is likely to be a further four weeks before he is playing again.

"However, the plaster is only on the right leg as the injury to his left leg is minor."

Cole was clean through on goal near the end of the first half when Ruddock brought him down and was shown a yellow card.

Nottingham born Cole, who will be 26 a week on Tuesday, was taken to hospital where X rays confirmed the fractures.

It is a sad end to his latest bid to regain the top striker role at Old Trafford where his goal output, so prolific at Newcastle, has dried up alarmingly following his move from St James' Park in January 1995.

Cole set a Newcastle record by scoring 41 goals in a season during the 1993-94 campaign with Kevin Keegan's team and total led 55 league goals in just 70 appearances.

Cole scored five goals in a 9-0 United win over Ipswich only a few weeks after arriving at Old Trafford, but managed only a total of 12 for the season.

Last term he finished with just 13 in 41 starts and had not scored in just five appearances, all as a substitute, this season.