Donato targets early return
Friday, February 28, 2003
Article summary
RC Deportivo La Coruña veteran Donato Gama could return to action within a month after knee surgery.
Article body
Training injury
The 40-year-old underwent surgery in Madrid on Thursday after sustaining a cartilage problem in his left knee in training three days earlier. His recovery is expected to take four weeks.
European hopes
Donato will miss Deportivo's two remaining Group D games in the UEFA Champions League second group stage - against Juventus FC in Turin and Manchester United FC at Riazor. However, he should be available to play should Javier Irureta's side reach the quarter-finals. They are currently third in the section, level on points with second-placed Juventus.
Old campaigner
Donato became the second oldest player to appear in the competition - at 40 years and 51 days - against FC Basel at the Saint Jakob Park last week. He recently told uefa.com: "Every year, at about this time of the season, people start asking me how long I intend to carry on playing. But, to be truthful, I prefer to live in the present and take every game as it comes."
Domestic duty
The former Spanish international will also sit out Deportivo's domestic matches against Villarreal CF, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF. The Galician club are in fourth position in the Spanish Primera División, five points behind leaders Real.
