MADRID, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Real Betis confirmed on Monday that its Colombian international striker Cucho Hernandez sustained a calf injury.
"Cucho Hernandez sustained a muscle injury during Saturday's match against Barcelona. Medical tests conducted this morning confirmed an injury to the proximal soleus muscle in his left calf," the Seville-based club said on its website.
Although Betis did not specify how long Hernandez would be out, saying that "his return to the squad will depend on his progress," the injury is expected to sideline him for around a month.
Hernandez is therefore set to miss Champions League matches against Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund, La Liga fixtures against Celta, Malaga and Elche, and Betis' Copa del Rey second-round tie away to Navalcarnero. However, he could return in time for the Seville derby away to city rivals Sevilla on November 22.
Hernandez will also be unavailable for Colombia during the next international break.
His injury presents a problem for Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has Irish international Troy Parrott as his only fit specialist striker following the summer departures of Chimy Avila and Cedric Bakambu.
Hernandez has scored two goals and provided two assists in La Liga, along with another goal in the Champions League. He has also struck up an effective understanding with teammates Isco, Antony, Ricardo Riquelme and Abde Ezzalzouli in the opening weeks of the season. ■
