Ruiz setback for Fulham

London - Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz has been ruled out until the new year after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, manager Martin Jol said on Thursday.

Ruiz, 27, last played in Fulham's 3-1 defeat to Sunderland three weeks ago and had been expected to return against Newcastle United on Monday.

"As you know we were very happy to tell everyone last week that Bryan Ruiz was back on Monday, and at the same training session he was injured again and we had to send him to Germany for a second opinion," Jol said on the club's website (www.fulhamfc.com).

"He is out for four or five weeks with the same hamstring problem. Hopefully he will be back before the FA Cup match."

Fulham host Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup on January 5.