Bullard to undergo knee surgery

Jimmy Bullard is stretchered off at St James' Park

Fulham say midfielder Jimmy Bullard requires surgery on his knee after a scan showed the injury is far more serious than the club first thought.

The 27-year-old was stretchered off after a strong tackle with Scott Parker during Fulham's 2-1 win at Newcastle.

The midfielder has enjoyed a fine start to his Fulham career after joining from Wigan in the summer.

Fulham refused to say how much of the season Bullard would miss except to say he would be out "for a lengthy period".

On Sunday Fulham physio Jason Palmer had been more optimistic in his prognosis of Bullard's injury.

Palmer said: "Jimmy's kneecap was dislocated but we reset it within 25 seconds.

"His X-ray shows no significant damage or fracture, which is very good news."

Palmer added: "We'll get him in for an MRI scan and look at everything in more detail which will tell us how long Jimmy will be out for."