Villarreal’s Champions League hopes have suffered a setback with the news that centre-half Gonzalo Rodriguez will miss the remainder of the campaign after tearing ligaments in his left ankle.
The Spanish side travel to London to face Arsenal in their semi-final first leg on Wednesday, with the return fixture six days later.
Villarreal said the Argentinian international would need up to eight weeks before he could train again, making him a doubt for the World Cup finals which start on June 9.
The 22-year-old sustained the injury in Friday’s defeat to fellow Champions League contenders Barcelona. Gonzalo has been a regular in Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season, featuring in nine of Villarreal’s ten matches from the group stage onwards.
Another centre-back, and a potential replacement for Gonzalo, Juan Manuel Pena, will also miss Wednesday’s match after straining knee ligaments against Barca.
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