Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner's facial injuries are worse than was first thought.
The Denmark international suffered a broken nose when he was caught in the face by Swansea defender Angel Rangel's boot during Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over the Welsh side.
However, O'Neill has revealed the damage is more extensive and, as a result, Bendtner is likely to miss several games, starting with Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with neighbours Middlesbrough.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "He's got a bit more than a broken nose. It's difficult to put a timescale on it but it's going to be lengthy.
"We thought at one stage he might be okay. The early signs, even on Sunday morning, were that it looked as if it might be okay.
"But he's going to be out for a number of weeks now, which is definitely a blow to us. He has a few cracks and we just have to bide our time with that. That's a big blow to us and to the lad himself, who was beginning to enjoy a decent spell of football for us."
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never been a huge fan of his but dont wish an injury on any player no matter who he plays for. certainly has had a run of very near misses and agree i hope he can turn them into goals
he should not poker his nose into other peoples cars he should be made to buy new cars for the people concerned if he is found guilty
Nice one Mister Fox
he is injured so no wages for sunderland to pay arsenal will have to pay him for doing nothing just like old times
He poked himself in the eye when he snapped off someones car ariel
Here we go again-no sooner does one striker become available ,another is sidelined for a few weeks. Wickham can more than hold his own and has the makings of an awesome striker. Hopefully Bendtner will be fit soon and turn all those near misses into goals.
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