YORK City winger Josh Carson is expected to be sidelined for nine months after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage.

The Northern Ireland international sustained the injury during last weekend's 1-0 win at Portsmouth and has also torn his cartilage.

Carson's setback follows scan results that revealed top scorer Wes Fletcher will be ruled out for the rest of the season due to a medial ligament problem.

On the double blow, City boss Nigel Worthington said: "It is sad to lose both Josh and Wes at this stage of the season but they will remain a big part of our group in and around the club while they complete their comebacks from injury."