Martin O'Neill confirms Bendtner may return to the squad shortly if he can start to get his confidence back after his facial injury. <br />Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill in January confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner's facial injuries are worse than was first thought.<br />The Denmark international suffered a broken nose when he was caught in the face by Swansea defender Angel Rangel's boot during Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over the Welsh side.<br />However, O'Neill has revealed that the damage is more extensive and as a result, Bendtner is likely to miss several games, starting with Sunday's FA Cup fourth round clash with neighbours Middlesbrough.<br /><br />He told the Sunderland Echo: 'He's got a bit more than a broken nose.<br />'It's difficult to put a timescale on it, but it's going to be lengthy.<br />'We thought at one stage he might be okay. The early signs, even on Sunday morning, were that it looked as if it might be okay.<br />'But he's going to be out for a number of weeks now, which is definitely a blow to us. He has a few cracks and we just have to bide our time with that.<br />'That's a big blow to us and to the lad himself, who was beginning to enjoy a decent spell of football for us.'<br /><br />Teenager Connor Wickham took Bendtner's place against the Swans, while Ji Dong-won was among the substitutes and Fraizer Campbell is close to a return after his latest knee injury.<br />However, O'Neill is understood to have a interest in Bolton's Kevin Davies as the winter transfer window enters its final few days, although the Trotters have indicated they are not interested in a loan deal.<br /><br />/football on Youtube brings you the latest football news, transfer rumours and footballing gossip from the English Premier League and European Champions League.<br /><br />Tags:<br />sunderland bendtner injury "martin O'Neill" EPL "premier league news" "Premier League" premiership Soccer Facial "broken nose" Football Interview "press conference"
