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Barcelona confirm David Villa will be sidelined for up to five months with fractured tibia
The Spanish striker could return to action earlier that it was initially feared, which increases his chances of making the Spain squad for the Euro 2012 finals
15 Dec 2011 19:45:00
By Luis Mira
Barcelona have announced via their official website that David Villa will be sidelined for up to five months after sustaining a fractured tibia in Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final victory against Al Sadd.
It was initially feared that the striker would spend six months on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the first half of the contest, which his side won 4-0.
Such scenario would rule him out of the rest of the club campaign, and could cost him a place in Spain's Euro 2012 squad.
However, further tests at the Rosai Hospital in Yokohama have revealed that the striker has an estimated layoff of four to five months.
Villa is currently on a plane to Barcelona, where he will undergo surgery on the problem in the coming days.
This is the first injury that has affected the 30-year-old since he joined the club from Valencia in 2010.
Earlier on Thursday, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was noncomittal when asked if he club planned to sign a replacement for the striker, who has scored nine goals in all competitions this season.
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It was initially feared that the striker would spend six months on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the first half of the contest, which his side won 4-0.
Such scenario would rule him out of the rest of the club campaign, and could cost him a place in Spain's Euro 2012 squad.
However, further tests at the Rosai Hospital in Yokohama have revealed that the striker has an estimated layoff of four to five months.
Villa is currently on a plane to Barcelona, where he will undergo surgery on the problem in the coming days.
This is the first injury that has affected the 30-year-old since he joined the club from Valencia in 2010.
Earlier on Thursday, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was noncomittal when asked if he club planned to sign a replacement for the striker, who has scored nine goals in all competitions this season.
Starting last month and continuing every Friday through to January, Goal.com will publish extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. Ahead of Sunday's Club World Club final with Santos, tune in on Friday for an exciting extract on how Lionel Messi helped the Catalans claim this trophy for the very first time in their history in 2009. Don't miss it!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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