Fulham skipper Brian McBride is expected to spend four months on the shelf after successful surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap suffered in their weekend loss to Middlesbrough.

The former USMNT star, who was injured in the act of opening his season goal account, will be sorely missed by Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez. The club are trying to acquire a striker before next Friday's deadline.

"He is captain, he is a center forward who wins a lot in the air and is a big presence in the dressing room, so he is quite a big loss for us," declared Sanchez, who bemoaned the hiatus forced upon the American and new front line partner David Healy.

"They had an understanding going. They work for each other and David can read Brian's flick-ons. It is disappointing, particularly in the action of scoring his first goal of the season when it was all flowing."