Mitea faces lengthy injury lay-off

Medial ligament damage
The Dutch side had expected the left-winger to return to action within four weeks of damaging the medial ligament in his right knee during a 1-0 friendly defeat by CA Boca Juniors on 31 July. However, Ajax today revealed that the injury has failed to respond to the prescribed rest and treatment, meaning the 20-year-old must undergo surgery as soon as possible. "Mitea will be out for six to nine months," a club statement said.

Double injury woe
Ajax's 22-year-old goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg injured his shoulder in the same pre-season game and has been ruled out for up to three months.