Impact midfielder Justin Mapp to miss four months with elbow injury

The Impact braced for the worse when Justin Mapp was stretchered off late during their 1-0 loss to D.C. United on Saturday.

Mapp was injured in a collision with United goalkeeper Bill Hamid and the club announced on Tuesday that the 30-year-old midfielder needs surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated elbow. He is scheduled to undergo the procedure on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for up to four months. That would put him in line to rejoin the team in July.

He won't be an easy man to replace. Mapp had been Montreal's most dynamic player in attack through their first three games of 2015 and though the Impact have improved their depth, his absence will undoubtedly be felt.

Dominic Oduro, an offseason acquisition from Toronto FC, could see time on the wing after being used as a lone striker in past games. Andres Romero, the team's MVP in 2014, is nearing a return from injury and should be back in the lineup soon and can also play as an outside midfielder.

Montreal is off from MLS play this weekend, giving them time to rest up for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions League match. They host the first leg of their semifinals tie against Costa Rican side Alajuelense on Wednesday, March 18.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr