Struggling England golfer Nick Dougherty will be sidelined for some time with confirmation he has broken his right wrist.

Dougherty was forced to withdraw from this week’s Dubai Desert Classic after slipping over in the shower in his Dubai hotel.

The newly-married 28-year, who has won three European Tour events, was observed leaving the on-course medical centre with his wrist and hand heavily strapped.

Confirmation of the serious of Dougherty’s injury appears on his website – www.nickdougherty.com

“The damage to my right wrist is worst than first thought as I have fractured bone in the back of my right hand and I will not be playing any more tournament golf for three weeks,” he said.

“That’s the bad news but the good news is that I pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic just an hour before my first round tee time and avoided further injury.”

The injury continues a poor start to the New Year for Dougherty who has missed the halfway cut in all three prior Middle East events.

He and his new wife had celebrated their wedding on New Year’s Eve at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews.