Depor striker Riki ruled out for weeks
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Article summary
RC Deportivo La Coruña forward Riki is expected to miss both legs of the first-round tie with Norwegian champions SK Brann after tearing a hamstring in the Spanish-season opening 2-1 win against Real Madrid CF.
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The 28-year-old former Getafe CF attacker appeared as a 61st-minute substitute against Madrid on Sunday, but fell to the turf following a chase with Gabriel Heinze soon afterwards and was taken off. Scans indicate that Riki will be sidelined for four weeks, with Deportivo coach Miguel Ángel Lotina suggesting his player's enthusiasm may have caused his own misfortune: "Riki warmed up well before the game, and before he came on he went through various sprints, but he likes to push himself hard in one-on-one situations." Deportivo travel to Brann on 18 September before hosting the return leg in north-west Spain on 2 October.