FULHAM boss Martin Jol fears keeper Maarten Stekelenburg needs a shoulder operation and could be out for months.
The player, Jol’s first-choice keeper, has been out since an injury picked up on the opening day of the Premier League season was aggravated in training.
Now the Holland star faces surgery if there is no improvement before the international break.
Jol said: “If it is not right in two weeks’ time, then he will probably need an operation.
“It’s already five weeks now, so it’s certainly long term. He had a few injections in his shoulder and it’s quite sensitive.
David Stockdale will deputise for Stekelenburg for tomorrow’s visit of Cardiff, and midfielder Bryan Ruiz could return from an ankle injury.