The Swans have been dealt a blow with the news that Marcos Painter could miss most of the rest of the season

Painter was stretchered off early in the second half of Saturday's 3-0 win against Southampton after going down heavily when challenging from the ball.

His agonising cry was heard from the back of the East Stand and it took just seconds for Richie Evans to call for the stretcher for the former Birmingham City player who has cemented the left back berth at the club as his own.

And whilst the initial diagnosis seemed to be a short term absence, the news is not getting better with predictions now saying that he could be out for as much as six months.

Speaking to the Evening Post, the Swans physio Richie Evans said "Marcos has damaged knee ligaments but we're waiting for an MRI scan to confirm the extent of the injury

"We are keeping our fingers crossed, but we have done tests on the knee which indicate that there could be damage to the cruciate ligament as well as the medial ligament.

"Marcos was well looked after at Morriston Hospital on Saturday. He had X-rays which showed there was no bone damage, but now we're waiting to see what the scan shows."

Garry Monk missed most of the 2006/7 season with a similar problem and it would surely be the end of the season for Marcos if the fears were confirmed.

"His boot got caught in the ground and his knee gave way a little bit" said Martinez who must now choose between Alan Tate and Fedo Bessone for a starting place against high flying Wolves on Tuesday

Get well soon Marcos

Photo: Action Images

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