Maniche absence pains Porto
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Article summary
FC Porto midfield player Maniche will be out for up to six weeks after undergoing surgery on a hernia.
Article body
FC Porto playmaker Maniche will be out of action for up to six weeks after undergoing an operation on a hernia.
Fitness struggle
The Portugal midfield player has been carrying the injury for some time but after scoring the only goal of the game as Porto defeated Moreirense FC on Friday, the club's doctors decided that he should have the operation. He has been struggling with fitness this term after playing a huge amount of football in the past two seasons, leading Porto to UEFA CUP and UEFA Champions League success, and starring as Portugal reached the final of UEFA EURO 2004™.
Inter fixture
Portuguese SuperLiga leaders Porto have only one game remaining - against CS Marítimo on Wednesday - before the SuperLiga enters its 18-day winter break. Maniche could, therefore, miss only a handful of matches and is expected to recover for the first leg of Porto's Champions League tie against FC Internazionale Milano on 23 February.
