Thursday 27 November 2014 19:13, UK
Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen is set for a five-month spell on the sidelines after the club announced he is to undergo surgery.
The 29-year-old has not played since Belgium's meeting with Russia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where he sustained an injury.
Vermaelen is now set for surgery on his right semitendinosus muscle by Dr Sakari Orava next Tuesday in Finland.
Orava has 40 years of experience working with top-class athletes and has operated on players including Marco van Basten, Didier Deschamps, Pep Guardiola and Jonathan Woodgate.
Former Arsenal captain Vermaelen left north London to join Barcelona in a £15m transfer this summer.
