Spanish giants Barcelona have been dealt a major blow with striker Luis Suarez sidelined for four months through injury.
The 32-year-old has had knee surgery after picking up a knock in their 3-2 Spanish Super Cup semi-final loss to Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
A statement from the club on Sunday said: "The first team player, Luis Suarez, has been operated on this Sunday by Dr. Ramon Cugat, who used keyhole surgery to resolve an injury to the external meniscus of the right knee by performing a suture."
The same injury saw the Uruguayan miss the Copa del Rey final that Barcelona lost to Valencia at the end of last season.
[LATEST NEWS❗]
Medical communique@LuisSuarez9 will be out for four months
📋 All the details, herehttps://t.co/LC8q3ZLF6S pic.twitter.com/HXwOEbZM51— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 12, 2020
The Catalan side are away to Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on 25 February before they welcome the Italians to the Camp Nou three weeks later.
Barcelona are top of the La Liga table but are level on points with bitter rivals Real Madrid and only ahead on goal difference.
Suarez has scored 14 goals in 23 games so far this season as well as providing seven assists.
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