Surgery for Sporting striker Yannick
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Article summary
Sporting Clube de Portugal forward Yannick Djaló has had surgery on the thigh injury which had made him doubtful for next month's tie against FC Basel 1893.
Article body
Sporting Clube de Portugal forward Yannick Djaló has undergone surgery on the thigh injury which had already made him doubtful for next month's UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against FC Basel 1893.
Question mark
The 21-year-old, who has made only nine Liga appearances this season and has not featured for coach Paulo Bento since the 11 November visit to SC Braga, injured his right thigh in training last week and should be sidelined for four weeks. Sporting say he had an operation today to correct the problem but remains a major doubt for the first-leg match against Basel in Lisbon on 13/14 February. His fitness for the second leg a week later in Switzerland is also a question mark.
More frustration
Yannick had only recently returned from a different injury affecting his right thigh when he sustained his current complaint. Sporting's second-choice goalkeeper Tiago may also be unavailable to face Basel – the 32-year-old is struggling with a left knee problem and will be out for eight weeks should club medics decide surgery is needed. Sporting enter the UEFA Cup having finished third in their UEFA Champions League group.
