Burger faces nine-month lay-off

Saracens' Namibian international loose forward Jacques Burger is to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Burger, who captained Namibia at last year's World Cup, is due to undergo knee surgery later this week and faces up to nine months on the sidelines as a result, the club said.

The 28-year-old from Windhoek joined Saracens in 2009 from South African side the Bulls and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best overseas players in the English Premiership.

"Done a couple of things trying to get back playing this season but it's not worked. Will have a knee operation in the next week. 9 months," he tweeted.

Burger, who was Saracens' player of the year last year when they won the English Premiership title, has a had difficulties with the knee in the past and spent an eight-week spell on the sidelines with the same problem just over a year ago.