STUART Massey's worst fears were confirmed yesterday when the results of a scan showed he damaged both the medial and cruciate ligaments in his knee during Oxford United's 2-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday.

He will be out for several months and, at 33 years old, and with his contract set to end this summer, it's potentially a career-threatening injury.

And it casts a big shadow over what was an outstanding win at Maine Road.

"It takes the shine off everything," declared United manager Malcolm Shotton.

"He came in yesterday morning and we were optimistic because it looked quite stable.

"But the scan report says it needs medial and cruciate repair and for that you're talking about a few months.

"It's a massive blow for him, for his family and for this football club," Shotton said.

He added: "Stuart has always given 100 per cent for me. He'd had one or two injuries but he fought his way back into the team and no-one could ever question his commitment."

The challenge which caused all the damage to Massey's knee came from Peter Beardsley who did one of his trademark tackles from behind, hooking his leg round to whip the ball away. Beardsley did in fact win the ball, so it was a complete accident. Masseys right leg crumpled and had to be stretchered off.

Oxford United will book Massey in to see a specialist and Shotton stated cautiously: "This is just the first scan."

And he offered the former Crystal Palace midfielder a ray of hope that he can return from this setback by saying: "Quite honestly, age doesn't matter. If they're good enough they'll play.

"I've said that with the young kids such as Simon Weatherstone and Jamie Cook who have come in and done brilliantly and taken their chances, and it applies to Stuart as well. I'm not bothered by players' ages.

"Sometimes you need to put out a side with a bit more experience but at the moment the young lads have got the shirts in their hands."

The side which beat Manchester City was very young with Simon Marsh, Paul Powell, Cook and Weatherstone all playing their part.

Marsh could get his longest run yet in the team because skipper and regular left back Mike Ford will be out for between two and four weeks with a tear in his thigh.

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