Placente to sit out Celta push

Defender Diego Placente will miss a month of the Spanish season following knee surgery just as RC Celta de Vigo step up their challenge for a UEFA Champions League place.

No delay
The 28-year-old was hurt in the 2-0 victory against Cádiz CF last weekend that took fifth-placed Celta to within four points of CA Osasuna, who occupy Spain's final qualifying berth for Europe's premier club competition. Placente could have waited until the summer for the operation to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee but has decided to act now.

German goal
Although he has not played for his country since last June, the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen full-back has still been involved with the national-team squad and harbours strong hopes of making Argentina's 23 for the FIFA World Cup. "I prefer to have surgery and be fit in a month so I have a chance of going to the World Cup," Placente said. "I'm optimistic and I won't lose faith about going to Germany."