Cambridge forward Kouassi facing hamstring surgery

Kylian Kouassi spent last season on loan with Salford City

Cambridge United striker Kylian Kouassi will be out for at least three months with a hamstring injury.

The 22-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Blackpool, was forced off with the injury in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Barnet in League Two.

"He's got an extensive hamstring injury which looks like it'll end in surgery next week," U's boss Neil Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"I don't have exact time frames but it'll be at least a three month period unfortunately."

Kouassi has scored five goals in 18 appearances for Cambridge having also been on loan in League Two last season with Salford.

"Forget about us," said Harris. "Let's talk about the lad and what a great human being he is and what a good bloke he is and how well he's fitted into our culture and how he's developing as a player - it's just a real shame."

Harris' side have only managed to score 16 goals in their 16 league games so far this season and with another forward, Shayne Lavery, also currently out, Harris admits Kouassi's injury is a blow to his plans.

"We have to accept it and get on with it and try to find different ways - we're not being dealt a great hand at the moment with injuries at the top end of the pitch but we just keep searching to find that magic formula to give us a spark," he added.

Cambridge United next visit Barrow on Saturday.