Saracens have suffered a major blow as influential forward Jacques Burger faces up to nine months out with a knee injury.

The Namibia captain has been out since December with an injury and was expected to return by now to the first team.

But Burger's knee has failed to clear up and he revealed on Twitter he needs surgery which will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Burger tweeted: "Done a couple of things trying to get back playing this season but its not worked... Will have a knee operation in the next week..9 months."