Heineken Cup high fliers and Pool 1 leaders Saracens have suffered a major injury blow with outside half Charlie Hodgson requiring surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone.
The England international - who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on Monday - was injured in the closing stages of Sunday's Premiership victory against London Wasps.
The club stated that Hodgson had surgery on Monday night and is recovering well but will be ruled out for a number of weeks.
Hodgson, a double Amlin Challenge Cup final winner with Sale Sharks in 2002 and 2005, has made 60 European appearances and rattled up 598 points.
In Saracens' two Heineken Cup Pool 1 matches last month, against Edinburgh Rugby and Racing Metro 92, he contributed 40 points and the club will be desperate to have him back in action before the tournament resumes next month.
Saracens face back-to-back matches against former double Heineken Cup champions Munster Rugby in Rounds 3 and 4, starting at Thomond Park on Saturday, 8 December.
