Preston’s Mawene out ‘for months’ with knee injury

by Will Swanson. Published Thu 26 Nov 2009 14:13

Preston boss Alan Irvine has confirmed that centre-back Youl Mawene will be out of action “for months” having torn the medial ligament in his right knee.

Mawene collided with both his goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan and Newcastle’s Marlon Harewood in Monday night's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at Deepdale.

A scan taken yesterday confirmed the extent of the injury.

Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post Irvine said: "Youl has torn the medial ligament, which is a big blow.

"Thankfully there was no damage to the cruciate ligament, so while it's a bad injury, it's not as bad as it could have been.

"He'll be out for quite a while, how long it takes him to get back we'll have to wait and see.

"But we're talking months rather than weeks.

"It's a shame because Youl played very well against Newcastle, and he'd been patient in waiting for his chance to get back into the team."