FCK blighted by extended Jørgensen absence

FC København captain Mathias Jørgensen will be on the sidelines for between six and nine months after his knee injury proved to be more serious than initially suspected.

The Danish international, who was injured in his side's 1-0 triumph at Lyngby BK last Saturday, was expected to be out for up to two months after he underwent ligament surgery but the operation revealed cruciate ligament damage.

"As part of the surgery we had the opportunity to check his cruciate ligament as well and it turned out that this has been damaged too, so 'Zanka' is looking at a break of between six and nine months," said club doctor Morten Boesen.

FCK have reacted to the 21-year-old defender's absence by signing free agent Lars Jacobsen on a contract for the remainder of 2011. The Danish international had been without a club since his contract with West Ham United FC expired in the summer.

"Lars is a really good player and we are happy that he is willing to help out for the rest of the autumn season," said FCK sporting director Carsten V. Jensen. "The injury to 'Zanka' has put us in a very difficult situation but now we can look forward to the tight autumn programme knowing that we have the number of defenders we want."

The Danish champions began their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory at home to FC Vorskla Poltava on Thursday and face a trip to R. Standard de Liège on 29 September in their next Group B outing.