(Reuters) - Struggling Sheffield United's Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge has had surgery for a leg injury and could be out for up to four months, manager Chris Wilder said.
The 22-year-old sustained the injury during the first half of Sheffield United's 3-2 Premier League defeat by Manchester United last week.
"Sander Berge had an operation on his tendon in his leg, so it's obviously a huge blow for us with him being out between three and four months," Wilder told reporters on Thursday.
Wilder said he does not expect midfielder John Lundstram, who can fill in for Berge, to leave the club before the English player's contract expires at the end of the season.
Lundstram will be unavailable for their next three games starting with Saturday's visit of fourth-placed Everton, having been sent off for an infraction in last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sheffield United are bottom of the league with two points from 14 games and seeking their first victory of the campaign.
"Of course, looking at the points tally and the gap, we've got to claw our way back into the fight first and foremost. But there are enough games to do that," Wilder said.