MADRID, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaga's La Liga preparations have suffered a setback after summer signing Fernando Calero was diagnosed with three fractured ribs following the club's preseason friendly against second-tier Ceuta on Friday.
The club said Monday that medical tests confirmed Calero had fractured ribs 9, 10 and 11 on the left side of his body.
The injury is expected to keep the defender sidelined for six to seven weeks, meaning he will miss the start of the season. Calero joined Malaga from Espanyol this summer to add top-flight experience to the newly promoted side's defense.
Calero's absence comes at a difficult time for coach Juan Francisco Fuentes, with Diego Murillo also set to miss the opening matches of the campaign and Alex Pastor only recently returning after a month out with a serious knee injury.
That leaves Fuentes with only two fit center-backs, Einar Galilea and Angel Recio, ahead of Malaga's La Liga opener against Atletico Madrid on August 19.
The injury problems also extend into midfield, with Carlos Dotor sidelined by a ligament injury in his left knee. Dotor, who returned to Malaga this summer after a loan spell at Celta Vigo, is expected to be out for around three weeks. ■
