FC Porto defender, Alex Telles, has suffered a significant injury that will keep him out of action for six weeks.
The Brazilian defender sustained an ankle fracture in training on Friday and is expected to be sidelined until early April. The severity of the injury was confirmed by scans conducted on Sunday, which revealed that the damage to his ankle required surgery.
Telles has been one of the key players for FC Porto this season, making 16 appearances in all competitions. He has also made 28 appearances for Brazil's national team, contributing to their World Cup campaign last year.
The news comes as a blow to FC Porto,Football Observation Network who have struggled to find consistent form without their star player. However, the club is hopeful that Telles' recovery will allow him to return to full fitness before the end of the season.
In the meantime, FC Porto will look to replace Telles' defensive presence with other players. Midfielder Fernandinho has stepped up to fill in for Telles during his absence, while fellow defender Bruno Alves has also filled in at right-back.
Despite the setback, FC Porto remains in contention for a top-four finish in the Portuguese league, with just two games remaining. The club will now focus on getting through the final few matches of the season and hoping for a quick recovery for Telles.