Lobont injury causes concern

Six-week absence
Lobont, who was loaned out to FC Dinamo Bucuresti last season but recalled to replace the retired Fred Grim, will be operated on in the next few days in an Amsterdam hospital. He is expected to be ruled out for six weeks, meaning he will miss the start of Ajax's defence of their Dutch league title, which begins on 18 August. The Romania No1 will struggle to return in time for Ajax's opening Champions League first group stage match on either 17 or 18 September.

Further assessment
Lobont's absence was confirmed after an MRI scan today, and doctors will be able to further assess the injury after the operation, The surgery will focus on the capsule at the front of his shoulder, which has been a constant source of trouble for some time. If the damage is worse than currently thought, Lobont, who will also miss the start of his country's EURO 2004™ campaign, could be sidelined for several months.

Koeman choice
Ajax coach Ronald Koeman may be forced to buy a replacement with second-choice goalkeeper Joey Didulica suffering an ankle injury. Koeman is thought to be interested in NAC Breda's Gabor Babos, who he considered bidding for last season. Third-string Ajax netminder Maarten Stekelenburg is playing in the Amsterdam Tournament with youth goalkeeper Robert Zwinkels as his understudy.