Afellay Sidelined for Six Months after Surgery

Barcelona's Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay will be sidelined for about six months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

The 25-year-old, who signed with Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in December, picked up the injury during a training session on September 22. He underwent the 50-minute operation at a Barcelona hospital on Monday.

"During the first two months he will undergo physiotherapy and work on mobility. The third and fourth month is a very active phase, mainly in the gym," one of the doctors who operated on the player, Ricard Pruna, was quoted by the club's website as saying.

"In the fifth and sixth month he will do exercises adapted to the pitch," he added.

Afellay had only just got back into Pep Guardiola's line-up after missing the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

He has played just a substitute's role this season against AC Milan and Osasuna.