Mawene joined Preston in the summer of 2004 from Derby

Preston defender Youl Mawene will be out for "months" after tearing his medial knee ligaments during North End's defeat by Newcastle on Monday.

The 30-year-old, who sustained the injury colliding with Preston goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan, has torn the ligament in his right knee.

"He'll be out for months rather than weeks," Preston manager Alan Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"His cruciate ligament is ok, so it's not as bad as it could have been."

It is the second time Mawene has suffered a knee injury since moving to Preston in 2004.

He missed the whole of the 2006-07 season after damaging cruciate ligaments in his left knee during the pre-season friendly with Manchester United.

Irvine believes Mawene's current injury affected Preston's impetus against Newcastle after a commanding performance from the Caen-born defender.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Mawene's injury

"He played very well and had been waiting for a chance to get back in and he was grabbing that chance," he said.

"We did fear it could have been a worse injury so to some extent we feel relieved."

Mawene's team-mate Lonergan said the injury had come as a bitter blow.

"It's disappointing, especially as I was involved in the incident which doesn't make me feel great," he said.

"Because Youl stayed down it's got to take something to keep him down.

"He had a kick to the heels and then a push which forced him into me and it's not good news."

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