Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen is to undergo thigh surgery that could rule him out for the remainder of the season.
The Belgian has yet to feature for the Catalan giants since his switch from Arsenal in the summer and could see his entire first season at the Camp Nou washed out.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury while playing for his country against Russia at the World Cup and will go under the knife on Tuesday in an attempt to cure the problem.
Vermaelen to undergo surgery in Finland next week http://t.co/EL5eGCgNx2 #fcblive pic.twitter.com/EfoQenUdgh
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 27, 2014
"First team footballer Thomas Vermaelen will undergo surgery on his right semitendinosus muscle by doctor Sakari Orava next Tuesday in Finland," a statement on Barcelona's official website read. "The estimated recovery time is four to six months."
Vermaelen began his career with Ajax and spent five seasons at the Emirates before moving to Barca.