Roger ruled out for six months

Surgery required
Club medical staff confirmed on Thursday that the 27-year-old has a partial tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and Roger will undergo surgery to repair the problem in his home town of Barcelona next week. The recovery time for such an injury is estimated to be around six months.

Knee trouble
Doctors have not revealed whether the problem is related to a knee injury the player has been trying to shake off since August or whether it may have been aggravated during the 1-1 draw with S.S. Lazio in the UEFA Cup on 21 October. The news comes as a further blow to coach Manuel Luis Pellegrini, who recently lost midfield player Javier Calleja to a similar injury.

Opening draw
Villarreal drew 1-1 at Lazio in the opening round of matches in UEFA Cup Group E, and are next in action in the competition on 25 November when they entertain English side Middlesbrough FC at the Madrigal.