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Operation looming for Real Madrid defender Metzelder

Society Materials 9 February 2008 21:51 (UTC +04:00)

( dpa )- Metzelder has to undergo foot surgery which will sideline him indefinitely, the German football federation DFB said on Saturday.

The DFB said that Metzelder, 27, told national team coach Joachim Loew earlier in the day that the injury in his left foot required an operation after all, to be carried out in Madrid.

Metzelder will be operated upon on Wednesday, because of the problem that has plagued him all season.

The operation will take place in Madrid and will be carried out by foot specialists Mariano de Prado and Pedro Luis Ripio.

This injury has limited Metzelder to just seven Liga appearances for Real in La Liga this season. He joined the whites in July after finishing his contract at Borussia Dortmund.

According to the digital version of AS, the operation means that the German defender will have "few options" to play again this season, and to take part in the European Championship finals.

Real's other injury victims right now are Pepe, Gabriel Heinze, Arjen Robben and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Spain defender Sergio Ramos is also doubtful for Sunday's home game against Valladolid, though veteran playmaker Guti is now fit.

Real are six points ahead of second-placed Barcelona, who on Saturday are away to dangerous Sevilla.

Metzelder has not played since last November, but Loew expressed the hope that he will recover in time for Euro 2008, to be played June 7-29 in Austria and Switzerland.

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