Johnson waiting on surgery outcome

Fulham FC could be without the services of striker Andrew Johnson for the rest of the season if an exploratory knee operation reveals the need for further surgery.

Johnson has travelled to the United States for the procedure and, at best, is facing three to four weeks on the sidelines, ruling him out of the Cottagers' UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie against FC Shakhtar Donetsk on 18 and 25 February. The injury is the latest setback in what has been a frustrating campaign for the former Everton forward, who has been limited to 13 appearances in all competitions because of a dislocated collarbone and a groin strain.

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, said: "If we're lucky and the major operation is not needed, and it's something wrong with the cartilage, then he might be back earlier. At the moment we're talking three to four weeks, and the worst-case scenario is the rest of the season and him being fit to join us in pre-season." Hodgson is already shorn of Clint Dempsey and Zoltán Gera (both knee) and this week allowed Diomansy Kamara to join Celtic FC on loan.