MADRID, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Espanyol's preparations for the new La Liga season have suffered a major blow after veteran striker Kike Garcia was ruled out for the opening weeks of the campaign following a tendon injury that requires surgery.
The 36-year-old was forced off after 18 minutes of Espanyol's preseason friendly against Middlesbrough, one of his former clubs, on Saturday. Medical tests after the team returned to Barcelona revealed tendon damage in his right leg.
Garcia, who scored eight league goals last season and has been a consistent aerial threat from set pieces, is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
Espanyol has not announced a timetable for his return, but Spanish media reports suggest he is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
Espanyol opens its La Liga campaign at home against Levante on August 16 after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. The club spent much of the first half of the campaign challenging for a European place before an 18-match winless run dragged it into the relegation battle.
Garcia played a key role in the team's survival, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 home victory over Athletic Club that ended the winless streak. ■
