Barca to set surgery date

Posted Saturday, December 17, 2011 by Supersport.com

Villa back in Catalunya and ready to go under the knife

Barca to set surgery date
David Villa: Expected to miss the remainder of the Spanish season

Barcelona have confirmed that David Villa has returned home, with the club now looking to set a date for him to go under the knife.

The World Cup-winning striker requires an operation on the broken shinbone he suffered in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

Villa fractured his left tibia during Barca's meeting with Al-Sadd in Yokohama.

He is now expected to be sidelined for up to five months, with a lengthy period of rehabilitation stretching out in front of him.

A statement released by Barca on Friday evening read: "David Villa has landed on Friday afternoon in Barcelona via Frankfurt, after the fracture of the tibia in his left leg that he suffered during the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.

"The player arrived in Barcelona in good condition and the transfer has been developed without any incident. In the next few hours a decision will be made over pre-operative tests and the date and time of surgery."

The 30-year-old is likely to miss the majority of Barca's Primera Liga and UEFA Champions League campaigns, but could be available to world and European champions Spain for Euro 2012, which begins in June.

Villa's team-mates, who remained in Japan ahead of Sunday's Club World Cup final against Santos, took to Twitter to express their support for their injured friend.

Club captain Carles Puyol posted: "Encouragement for el Guaje!!! I'm sure he'll be back with us soon, his injury is a blow to the team. We will try to dedicate the title to him."

Fellow defender Gerard Pique tweeted: "You'll get well soon Guaje! We are all here for you, friend!" while midfielder Cesc Fabregas added: "Stay strong Guaje! We're with you, friend!"