Fulham captain Brian McBride is unlikely to return until the New Year after suffering a setback.
Fulham skipper's comeback put on hold
Fulham captain Brian McBride has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury and is unlikely to return until the New Year.
McBride damaged his knee in the process of scoring against Middlesbrough in August and had been making positive progress in his rehabilitation.
Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez had provisionally pencilled in the American striker to make his comeback against Wigan Athletic before Christmas.
But the 35-year-old will not play until January after having a cortisone injection following a visit to the specialist.
Irritable
"Brian McBride had a minor setback about a week ago where his knee was a little irritable and wasn't tolerating the loading," Fulham head physio Jason Palmer told the club's official website.
"Brian is looking at a late December return to training and hopefully we will see him available for the first team early in the New Year."
Meanwhile, veteran defender Ian Pearce, who has also not played since August, has undergone an operation to clear up a calf problem.
Palmer added: "Following a prolonged period where we were trying to manage Ian Pearce's calf problem without having to undergo surgery, we reached a point where we weren't comfortable that he was progressing.
"Consequently, he underwent surgery on Thursday in Sweden. The surgery went very well and, at this point in time, we hope to see Ian back on the training pitch in approximately five weeks' time."
