Rafinha sidelined for 4 months

Madrid, April 8: FC Barcelo have suffered a setback to their treble hopes with the news that Brazilian midfielder Rafinha will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The versatile player, who is able to perform in several different areas of the pitch, including wing-back, suffered the injury in Barca’s 4-1 win away to Grada on Sunday. First indications were that the injury was not too bad and that Rafinha would be available in around 15 days, but an arthroscope showed on Friday that he has suffered more serious damage to his meniscus ligament than first thought and that he will need an operation.

It is the second knee injury the 24-year-old has suffered in his career, as he missed out on virtually all of the 2015-16 campaign after an injury in a Champions League game against Roma. However, this season the Brazilian had been very important to the Barca cause, playing a total of 2,650 minutes in all competitions and scoring six goals in the Liga Santander. IANS