Barcelona, September 24 (HS): Spanish international midfielder Gavi is expected to be sidelined until February or March following knee surgery, FC Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday evening.The club announced that the 20-year-old underwent an arthroscopy on his right knee, during which surgeons operated on his medial meniscus, opting for a preservation procedure. Barcelona added that the recovery process will take approximately four to five months.

Gavi sustained the injury during training ahead of the recent international break. Initially, doctors attempted a conservative treatment approach, but when the expected progress did not materialize, surgery became necessary.The setback comes less than two years after Gavi suffered a serious ligament tear in the same knee while representing Spain in November 2023, an injury that kept him out of action for nearly a year.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s injury list continues to grow. Midfielder Fermin Lopez has been ruled out for three weeks with a groin problem, while teenage star Lamine Yamal is also sidelined after picking up a pelvic issue last week.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar