体坛英语新闻：Knee operation for Real Sociedad defender Martinez

MADRID, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez will be out of action for the rest of the season after damaging his cruciate ligaments last weekend.

Martinez was injured during his side' s 4-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and although the result means his side are just about safe from relegation, it has come at a heavy price.

Martinez broke his meniscus ligament following a challenge from Rayo striker Diego Costa and will undergo an operation this Tuesday. The recovery time is around six months for this kind of treatment, which means that Martinez will not only miss the rest of this season, but will have to spend the summer recovering and will probably not be fit for the start of the 2012-2013 campaign.

It is a severe blow to the Spain Under-21 international, who has so far enjoyed a fine season and has even scored two goals from his own half in games against Betis and Athletic Club Bilbao. Those performances had brought him to the attention of some of the bigger clubs in Spain and FC Barcelona had been rumoured to have been following his progress.

Any potential move will now have to be put on hold until the young defender completes his recovery.