PSV's Pieters sidelined by foot fracture

PSV Eindhoven have lost left-back Erik Pieters for the remainder of 2011 after he suffered a metatarsal fracture in his right foot against FC Utrecht last weekend. Pieters left the field after 31 minutes of the 1-0 home victory over his old club on Saturday when he pulled up after a sprint for the ball. The Dutch international's foot is in plaster and he was due to undergo surgery on the fracture on Tuesday. A statement from the PSV medical staff confirmed the 23-year-old's absence for the remainder of the UEFA Europa League group stage, saying: "Pieters will at least be out until the winter break." An ever-present for PSV in the Eredivisie and the UEFA Europa League this term, he will be missed, with coach Fred Rutten describing his absence as "a real setback".