Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been ruled out for the remainder of the season having undergone knee surgery.
The Germany international has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons since the weekend due to his actions in the Copa del Rey final.
Having been substituted against Barcelona due to the aforementioned injury, the 32-year-old threw an object at the referee in response to a decision that he perceived to be unfairly given versus Los Blancos.
Rudiger has since apologised for his behaviour, yet there is potential for a significant ban to be handed to him according to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) disciplinary code.
However, depending on when a punishment is decided, it appears that it could be served while he recovers from an operation.
© Imago
Rudiger undergoes knee surgery
After Saturday's game, Rudiger was diagnosed with a partial tear of the external meniscus in his left knee, and Rudiger has since addressed the need for surgery.
On social media, he said: "Now I'm finally pain-free again, and the surgery was a success. Thanks to the medical team.
"[There are] two big tournaments with the Nations League and the Club World Cup in front of me, but I have to look from week to week. I will do everything I can to make it happen."
Despite Rudiger's words, Spanish media has indicated that he faces at least a six-week spell on the sidelines, leaving him in a race against time to feature in either tournament.
© Imago
Another blow for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti, on the brink of becoming the manager of Brazil, has had to deal with knee injuries suffered to his defenders all season.
The Italian has been missing Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and David Alaba for large portions of the campaign, and Rudiger's absence leaves their La Liga hopes hanging by a thread.
With five games remaining, Real Madrid sit four points adrift of leaders Barcelona in the standings, albeit with a game against their El Clasico rivals still to come.
Raul Asencio and Alaba are in line to start in the middle of the backline against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Darren Plant
