Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ruled out for a month after undergoing knee surgery.
The 34-year-old Norwegian star had an operation after scoring in United’s 3-2 FA Cup fifth round win at Reading.
Solskjaer has already spent two years on the sidelines with knee trouble.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It was good timing with the international break coming up. It gave us the opportunity to get the thing done.”
He added: “We could get the knee sorted out and get it cleaned out. It’s nothing serious.”
Solskjaer, who has scored 10 goals this season, will miss United’s Champions League second leg against Lille, the FA Cup quarter-final with Middlesbrough and a league fixture against Bolton Wanderers.
He should be available for the visit of Blackburn Rovers on 31 March.