EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, Sept 8 (AFP) - Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart faces ten weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier Group Three win over Belarus.

"I will know by Monday if the ligaments have been affected and if I need surgery. I'm not too optimistic," admitted Ajax star Van der Vaart.

"I knew straight away it was serious," he added. Ajax face having to go through the bulk of their Champiojns League first
phase campaign without Van der Vaart as they prepare to tackle Lyon, Inter Milan and Rosenborg.

He is also set to miss Holland's October 16 meeting with Austria.