Baraja blow deepens Valencia woe
Friday, January 25, 2008
Article summary
Struggling Valencia CF's problems have worsened with the news that captain Rubén Baraja will be sidelined for a month after scans confirmed a torn thigh muscle.
Article body
Struggling Valencia CF's problems have worsened with the news that captain Rubén Baraja will be out for a month having torn his right thigh during Wednesday's 1-0 win against Club Atlético de Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Tear confirmed
The 32-year-old, who has scored twice in 13 Primera División appearances this season, suffered the injury early in the second half of the 1-0 first-leg defeat of Atlético at Mestalla. He was replaced by new signing Hedwiges Maduro who made his Valencia debut. A subsequent scan revealed a tear that will keep the influential midfielder sidelined for between three and four weeks. Valencia lie eighth in the Spanish top flight – they have not won in the league since 10 November, losing five of their eight matches.