Mixed news for Garcia

Sergio Garca: Will miss start of the season

Espanyol have received some bittersweet news as Sergio Garcia was told that he will not require surgery on his broken toe but will miss the first seven games of the season.

The former Barcelona, Real Zaragoza and Real Betis striker was injured during the Blanc i Blau's pre-season encounter with French champions Montpellier last month.

Doctors feared that an operation would be required to repair the damage to his right foot, but further scans have given them confidence that he can recover with rest and physiotherapy.

Garcia will now be out for around two months and will be unavailable to coach Mauricio Pochettino for the opening seven games of the new Spanish league campaign.

The injury is an additional problem for Pochettino after seeing Kalu Uche leave over the summer and Alvaro Vazquez is being linked with a move away with interest, reportedly from Barcelona and Sunderland.

Espanyol kick off the new season with a trip to Balearic outfit Real Mallorca on 18th August and then play their first home game against Real Zaragoza on 26th August.