Delap facing six-week lay-off

Southampton's Rory Delap looks likely to be sidelined for between four and six weeks after tearing the medial ligaments in his left knee.

It is a huge blow for the player who had only just recovered from a calf strain which had kept him out for two and a half weeks.

He made his comeback against Norwich but limped off on 28 minutes when he was hurt in a 50-50 tackle with David Nielsen.

He went for a scan yesterday and was told he will definitely miss next month’s FA Cup quarter-final against Wolves but might just be back for the semi-final should Saints go through.

Physio Jim Joyce said: “Rory has a partial tear which won’t require surgery but we expect him to be out for a minimum of a month, maybe a bit longer. We will have to see how it goes.”

Delap said: “It is bitterly disappointing – I am absolutely sick. The doctors said six weeks although it might be slightly earlier if I heal quickly.

“But I have to accept it could take six weeks which would be around the date of the semi-final if we get through. It is a decent draw and I am just hoping the lads win through for me.

“It was very unlucky really. He (Nielsen) caught me with a block tackle and we both connected with the ball at the same time. He knocked the ball against me which opened my knee out and there are two tears in the ligament.

“It is not good news and this is all I needed because it will rule me out of the Cup match as well as some important league games and probably Ireland’s Euro 2004 qualifiers at the end of March.”