Costanzo laid low for Basel

FC Basel 1893 could be without goalkeeper Franco Costanzo for the rest of the UEFA Europa League group stage as the Argentinian requires surgery to heal a persistent problem in his left knee.

'Unavoidable'
The 29-year-old Basel captain has suffered a loss of mobility in recent games and was left with little option but to go under the knife. "I've been playing in pain for over 18 months," Costanzo said. "Lately I've been playing at 70 per cent of my capabilities, so this step was unavoidable." Massimo Colomba, 32, will become No1 with Swiss Under-21 international Oliver Klaus, 19, providing back-up.

Bulgaria trip
Basel, who have not ruled out the possibility of signing a new keeper in the January transfer window, have three points from two UEFA Europa League outings and next face Group E's bottom side PFC CSKA Sofia on 22 October in Bulgaria.