Metzelder booked in for foot surgery

Real Madrid CF's Christoph Metzelder is to undergo surgery in a bid to cure a persistant foot injury, potentially ruling the German international defender out for the rest of the season.

Lay-off
Metzelder will have the operation next week after club doctors carried out extensive tests. Although no recovery period will be set until after the surgery, Metzelder will definitely be sidelined for Los Merengues' UEFA Champions League first knockout round matches against AS Roma and faces a race to be fit for UEFA EURO 2008™ in June.

'Right way'
"I have made the decision to undergo surgery now without any outside pressure," said Metzelder. "I think this is the right way for me to go." Germany coach Joachim Löw added: "We, of course, accept Christoph's decision and now hope that the surgery will be successful and that he is back in time for the EURO."

Setback
The 27-year-old suffered the setback at the beginning of December, and has played only once since for the Primera División leaders in a 1-1 draw at Alicante CF in the Copa del Rey. Metzelder arrived in the Spanish capital from BV Borussia Dortmund last summer but has featured in just seven league matches and three UEFA Champions League games.