Athletic Club have lost midfielder Carlos Gurpegi for the rest of their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign after the 31-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

A half-time substitute during the 1-1 draw at Valencia CF on Sunday, Gurpegi – who had captained Athletic to a 2-1 Group F victory away to ŠK Slovan Bratislava on matchday one – lasted just 15 minutes before suffering the injury which, following surgery, can require a recovery period of about six months.

Marcelo Bielsa's side lead their UEFA Europa League section after taking seven points from three games. They next face FC Salzburg in Austria on 3 November before concluding their Group F programme against Paris Saint-Germain FC and Slovan.