Healing process halts De Vlieger

SV Zulte Waregem will be without goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger for the rest of their UEFA Cup group-stage campaign as he must undergo surgery on a heel injury.

Heel operation
The 35-year-old Belgian international has been troubled by a painful right heel and has elected to have an operation in the hope of curing the problem. He is not expected to return to action for three months, leaving 27-year-old Pieter Merlier to take his place in goal while 21-year-old Sammy Bossut moves up to the bench. Zulte Waregem won both of their opening Group F games but face tough tests against RCD Espanyol and AFC Ajax in their remaining fixtures.