New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe does not expect to sign a replacement for injured striker Luke Rodgers.

Former Notts County striker Rodgers has been suffering from plantar fasciitis for some time now, a painful injury that ruined the end of Patrick Ewing's career in New York.

Backe told the New York Post: "Luke is still a question mark. I don't know how much time it takes, but I would say in a couple of weeks, ten days, we just need to take a decision if we should gamble and see how he can perform with this injury.

"We have very, very small money in the salary cap.

"I would say 99 percent we'd go with what we have.''