VARMELEN OUT FOR 5 MONTHS

Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen is set for a five-
month spell on the sidelines after the club announced he is to
undergo surgery.
The 29-year-old has not played since Belgium's meeting
with Russia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where he
sustained an injury.
Vermaelen is now set for surgery on his right
semitendinosus muscle by Dr Sakari Oravanext Tuesday
in Finland.
Orava has 40 years of experience working with top-class
athletes and has operated on players including Marco van
Basten, Didier Deschamps, Pep Guardiola and Jonathan
Woodgate.
Former Arsenal captain Vermaelen left north London to
join Barcelona in a £15m transfer this summer.