GIANT striker Kevin Francis seems certain to be sidelined for at least a fortnight because of a knee infection which followed keyhole surgery on minor cartilage damage earlier in the summer.

The Oxford United striker has spent more than a week in a Birmingham hospital after developing the infection the day after the U's pre-season friendly against Panionios.

Last night he was still hooked up to two drips in his hospital bed and said he was very frustrated by his illness and missing out on the start to the season.

"When I came in and they first put the drips on I thought I wouldn't be in long, but there's nothing I can do," said Kevin.

"The keyhole surgery wasn't a big thing, but if they stitch you back up and you haven't healed properly obviously it's a problem and to be on two drips the doctors here clearly feel it's fairly serious. I'm just having to do what they tell me."

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