Valencia winger Guedes has foot operation

Valencia football club has said its Portuguese international winger Goncalo Guedes will be out of action until the end of the year after an operation for a foot injury.

The 20-year-old, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and one of their best players as Valencia stand second in the La Liga, suffered a hairline fracture in the fifth metatarsal (little toe) of his left foot during Sunday's 1-1 draw at home against FC Barcelona.

The operation, which took place on Monday night, was to place a screw into his toe in order to give it extra stability, reports Xinhua news agency.

His absence will be a big loss to Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia, whose side is currently unbeaten this season in Spain and sits just four points behind Barcelona after their draw at the weekend.

Marcelino will probably opt to push attacking full-back Juan Gaya into a more advanced role and bring 19-year-old defender Toni Lato into the side which travels to play Getafe next weekend.

As well as the Getafe match, Guedes will also miss games against Celta Vigo, Eibar and Villarreal before the short Christmas break.

It is still uncertain what action the club will take over the club's top scorer of the season Simone Zaza, who played at the weekend despite a partially torn meniscus ligament.

Whether he will continue playing or chose to have an operation in the near future is yet to be decided by the club.

--IANS

pur/mr