Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen will undergo surgery on his right semi-tendon muscle on Tuesday.
The former Arsenal player is due to go under the knife in Finland, an operation that will be performed by Finnish specialist Doctor Orava, the man who treated Pep Guardiola 16 years ago.
Vermaelen has been affected by numerous injuries since joining from the Gunners last summer, predominantly hamstring problems, but has also suffered back, Achilles heel and knee complaints.
AS understands the player, who has yet to make his competitive debut for the Catalans, will be out of action for between four and five months, although Barca director of football Andoni Zubizarreta has hinted he could return within three months.
“Vermaelen knows the demands of competitions like the Champions League and the World Cup.
“We knew when he arrived he was carrying an injury, although we’d have liked him to have been playing before suffering this relapse,” said Zubizarreta recently.
