By Matthew Jones
November 19 2002

Hugo Viana is sidelined following injury. Portuguese medical staff have revealed that the £8.5m midfielder is suffering from damage to his knee ligaments. Hugo Viana faces around a month on the sidelines after pulling out of Portugal's squad to face Scotland with suspected knee ligament damage.

The Newcastle star teamed up with his international squad this week - but tests by the Portuguese medical staff have revealed that the £8.5m midfielder is suffering from damage to his knee ligaments.

"Hugo Viana has suffered a problem with his left knee," Portuguese doctor Enrique Jones told Portuguese radio station TSF. "It was evaluated and we verified that there is an injury to the internal ligaments of the knee for which he will have a scan,''

The highly-rated youngster is understood to have picked up the injury during Saturday's 2-1 win over Southampton and is now expected to miss games against Manchester United, Everton, Aston Villa and the return game against Saints.

The 19-year-old joins fellow left-winger Laurent Robert on the sidelines, with the Frenchman not expected to return to action for another three weeks, and Olivier Bernard, who was sent off in the reserves' 2-2 draw with Bolton on Monday, is expected to fill the void for Saturday's trip to Old Trafford.