Striker ruled out for up to three months

FC United of Manchester striker Mike Norton has been ruled out of action for up to three months with the knee injury he suffered in the 0-0 home draw with Blyth Spartans in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's top flight at the end of last month.

The 33-year-old forward, pictured, was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge which ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee on Tuesday 28 October. Norton, who has scored 92 goals in 215 appearances since joining the Rebels in 2010, was rushed to hospital on the day with a suspected shin fracture and will now need an operation to help repair the damage.

FCUM manager Karl Marginson said: "It is obviously a real blow for us to lose a player of Norts’ quality for such a period. I don’t really want to put a timescale on it as there are a lot of variables that could shorten or lengthen his absence. An outside guess could see him out for three months.

"We will miss his attitude, work rate and commitment on the pitch, but we fully intend to keep him around the dressing room. He is a popular character and a big part of the team spirit we have nurtured at FC United, so he will take on a new role within our squad, galvanising the lads and helping with advice from his years of experience in the game."

Marginson isn't planning to go out of his way to strengthen his attacking options in Norton’s absence and added: "I am always on the look out to add to the squad but I will not be rushing into anything or making panic decisions. We have players who can now come in and stake their own claims for a starting place and I hope those players step up and make the most of the chance."

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