Huntelaar was ruled out for six weeks yesterday after an MRI scan showed a torn tendon in the ankle he injured during Sunday's 5-2 Eredivisie victory over Sparta Rotterdam.

Van Basten will be without his star frontman until the end of December and the former Holland coach knows how difficult it will be to replace him in the team.

"It is frightening when one of your most important players falls away," Van Basten told club website www.ajax.nl.

"But life goes on. We have a big selection and we will try to fill in the vacant position somehow.

"Evander Sno can play well in that position. He scored against Sparta and he gave an assist. We will see how we will fill the role."

Technical director Danny Blind is also hopeful the club can agree a new long-term contract with Huntelaar.

The 25-year-old Holland striker, who is under contract until the summer of 2010, was widely linked with a move away from his homeland in the summer but ended up staying at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Speculation in some quarters suggest Huntelaar could even have played his last match for Ajax should a January move materialise.

However, Blind is optimistic the former Heerenveen forward will not only remain with the club but even extend his current deal.

"Behind the scenes there is always contact with Huntelaar's agent, Arnold Oosterveer," Blind told Sportweek. "We still have the intention of agreeing a longer contract.

"It was our intention to sit around the table within the next few weeks, but the focus is now of course on his recovery."

Huntelaar has expressed his dismay over his six weeks on the sidelines but has vowed not to rush back into action before he is ready.

He opened the scoring on Sunday but then turned his ankle in the 36th minute with the score at 2-0 and was taken off immediately.

Huntelaar will decide in the next few days whether to undergo an operation or let the ankle heal with rest.

"I will ask people for advice on this, and then we will go for the most sensible solution," he said. "I don't like the fact that I can't play."

Either way, the Oranje frontman insists he will not try to return to action before he is fully fit.

"Of course I want to return as soon as possible," he said. "But I won't do irresponsible things. My health is most important."

This will be the first lengthy stint out of action Huntelaar has had in his career and he admits he is stepping into the unknown.

"This is the first time in my career I have been out injured for several weeks," said Huntelaar, who in the last five years has missed only three Eredivisie games and two international matches through injury.

"Because it's new, I have no idea what to expect. I had an ankle injury once at Heerenveen. Then I was able to start playing again after a week of being on ice. This will be a totally different thing."

Meanwhile, Ajax utility man Robbert Schilder is not looking to leave the Amsterdam ArenA even though his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

The 22-year-old, who has reportedly attracted interest from a number of clubs, is set to discuss his future with Ajax officials during the winter break.

Schilder told Sportweek magazine: "I think I will stay at Ajax this season.

"I am getting more playing time than I expected. Marco van Basten told me he thinks I am a good player.

"I am learning a lot from him and the other coaches."