Helguera hit by injury
Wednesday, September 3, 2003
Article summary
Real Madrid CF's Iván Helguera will miss important games for club and country because of a knee injury.
Article body
Midfield role
Helguera, who had been deployed in Madrid's midfield in place of the departed Claude Makelele, was forced to leave the field in the 83rd minute of last night's 1-1 league draw at Villarreal CF and is expected to be out for around a fortnight following tests today.
Surgery not needed
Madrid medical chief Juan Carlos Hernández said: "The injury is a result of playing for seven years without part of the cartilage in his right knee, which was removed when the player was at Albacete [Balompié]. Now he's suffering discomfort in the area. He won't need surgery, but will need a few days of treatment."
Champions League opener
The 28-year-old will sit out Spain's friendly with Portugal on Saturday and, more importantly, next Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Ukraine. He will then miss Madrid's opening UEFA Champions League fixture of the season against Olympique de Marseille on 16 September as well as league games against Real Valladolid and Málaga CF.
