Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems certain to miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his cheekbone in a reserve-team outing against Middlesbrough.

The Manchester United striker suffered the injury in a clash of heads with Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu just seven minutes into the 1-1 draw and was immediately driven to hospital in Manchester for the extent of the problem to be assessed.

United's worst fears have now been realised and Solskjaer will have an operation to reduce the extent of the fracture.

Although club officials have rated his recovery time as "between six to eight weeks", the loss of match sharpness almost certainly means Solskjaer will not play again this season.

"Ole will undergo an operation to reduce the fracture," a club spokesman told www.manutd.com.
"He is likely to be out for between six to eight weeks."