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Hodgson fears op will end Johnson's season

ESPN Soccernet staff
February 4, 2010
Andrew Johnson is expected to miss the rest of the season © Getty Images
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American surgeon Richard Steadman will perform an operation on Andrew Johnson's knee on Thursday in a bid to save the striker's injury-plagued season.

Johnson was missing from the Fulham side which ended a run of five successive defeats with a 1-0 victory over the Premier League's bottom side Portsmouth on Wednesday night. Fulham's lack of firepower was evident as Bobby Zamora and debutant Stefano Okaka created few chances between them.

Hodgson's men had to rely on a fortuitous goal from Jonathan Greening to seal the win and Hodgson is desperate for his 28-year-old former England striker to return to action before the end of the season. Colorado-based surgeon Steadman has operated on some of sport's leading figures such as Tiger Woods and Ruud van Nistelrooy while Alan Shearer and Michael Owen have also credited Steadman for saving their careers.

"He will have knee surgery in America, when they will go in and see what it is, and then fix it,'' Hodgson said. "There is a risk that he will be out for the rest of the season, but there is also some optimism.

"However, the experience of our medical people think it might be (season ending). I am disappointed in that, because I was still believing he was going to come back and it would not be that long. Now I may be looking at the rest of the season with a limited and inexperienced group of front players.''

Much of the focus on Portsmouth this week has been on the club's off-field problems. The players' wages for January were finally paid on Wednesday, the fourth time this season they have been late. Key players Asmir Begovic and Younes Kaboul had to be sold against Avram Grant's wishes and the club also face a winding up order next week. Grant bemoaned his side's lack of luck in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat and also thought that Bobby Zamora was offside for Greening's winner.

"We played very good football, created a lot of chances and were by far the better team,'' the former Chelsea boss said. "They did not even deserve a draw, they had only one chance and scored.

"There was also a mistake by the referee in the goal, because Zamora was offside. After what has happened off the pitch, the players gave 100% and gave their heart.''

Grant was given a rapturous welcome by the Pompey fans at the start of the game and they chanted the Israeli's name throughout the game. He has voiced his frustration at the precarious financial situation at Fratton Park but re-affirmed his commitment to carry on.

He said: "I am very proud because it is good that we showed even with the problems off the pitch, that we kept the spirit of the game and gave 100%. As long as we have a chance, we will fight. With the situation of the club, I am trying to do my best for the team. I love this club and when all of the city is supporting the team, I feel committed. I am trying to do my best in these circumstances.''

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