Pinas out for the season

FC Groningen winger Brian Pinas will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right kneecap in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by AFC Ajax.

Knee injury
The 25-year-old was substituted three minutes before half-time against Ajax and will be in plaster for the next six weeks after surgery at Gronigen's AZG hospital. Pinas, who also had an operation on his left knee four years ago, is expected to begin physiotherapy by the end of May.

Two goals
Pinas joined Groningen from Belgian side R. Excelsior Mouscron at the start of the season and has made 23 appearances for the Eredivisie club, scoring twice. He began his career at Feyenoord before a brief spell in the English Premiership with Newcastle United FC.