Tamudo blow leaves Espanyol reeling

RCD Espanyol will have to make do without their talismanic striker Raúl Tamudo for the next two months after the club's medical staff discovered an eight-centimetre gash in a muscle in the player's left thigh.

Worst fears realised
The 31-year-old had scored three times in 12 appearances for Los Pericos this season before being forced off during the 1-0 weekend loss to Sporting Gijón, and after various tests the club's worst fears were realised. Newly installed coach José Manuel Esnal will now need to find alternative options in attack as he attempts to steer the 17th-placed Barcelona-based outfit away from the Liga relegation zone.