Andersson's troubles go on

FC Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson will be out for a further six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his injured thigh.

Champions League absence
The operation means Andersson is virtually certain to miss Barcelona's first two UEFA Champions League second group stage matches. Barça have already been confirmed as winners of their first stage section, Group H, prior to Matchday Five.

Injury complaints
Andersson strained a thigh muscle while preparing for the FIFA World Cup finals with Sweden, and has not played competitive game for Barcelona since he underwent an operation to cure knee ligament damage in February. He has been plagued by fitness problems since his €7m move from FC Bayern München in 2001.

Surgery advise
The 31-year-old also had several weeks on the sidelines after suffering concussion in a match against RC Celta de Vigo in December of last season. Andersson had played a friendly match for Barcelona this month, but prior to a second game last week his thigh problem recurred, and the club advised surgery after tests.

'It has gone on too long'
"The injury has been around for a while, and it has gone on too long," explained club doctor Ricard Pruna "It came back because the stitches broke open, something that can happen with any injury." Dr Pruna added that "the recovery time depends on several things - what we find when we operate and the effort the player puts into rehabilitation", as well as the exact severity of the injury.