Orbaiz out for Athletic
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
Article summary
Athletic Club Bilbao and Spain midfield player Pablo Orbaiz will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Article body
Ligament damage
Tests today confirmed that the 23-year-old snapped the cruciate ligaments in his left knee during Athletic's 4-3 victory against Real Racing Club Santander last Saturday.
Six months out
Orbaiz caught his foot in the turf and twisted his knee after 48 minutes of the match at Santander's El Sardinero stadium. "He will need surgery to replace the ligament and will be out for six months," said club doctor Sabino Padilla.
Not a good year
Saturday's game was Orbaiz's third start of the season after he suffered a calf injury on the opening day of the campaign against Real Sociedad. "Football-wise, it has not been a good season," said the player, who was given his international debut by coach Iñaki Sáez in the August friendly against Hungary.
