Real Betis midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart will miss the start of this season's La Liga due to a sprained ankle.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid player, 32, picked up the injury during training on Tuesday and Real Betis medical staff have suggested the sprain could keep him out of action for at least two weeks, but more likely three.
Out of the Villarreal game
The Dutch international, who joined Betis on a free from Hamburg in June this year, will now miss his side's opening fixture of the new season, on August 23rd against Villarreal, after an incident that left him in noticeable pain and required him to be carried off the training pitch, before being assessed by medical staff.
During his career he has gathered extensive experience and he has achieved mixed success. He was seen as a great playmaker during his time in London, but after his time in the Bundesliga, his peers voted him the biggest flop in the German top flight.
However, Betis boss Pepe Mel seemed confident Van Der Vaart could rediscover his top form and, after signing a three year contract, he was unveiled in front of thousands of fans at Estadio Benito Villamarin, where he posed for pictures with his grandmother.
No return date set
He told the club's official website he was happy to begin life with his new club in the Andalusian capital of Seville, situated closer to his family, but now he will have to wait before he can really get started and his injury could prove to be a big blow to the club's plans for the start of the season, as they prepare for what could be a tricky return to Spain's top flight.
The injury will be further assessed in ten days' time, when the club medical staff will put Van Der Vaart through a series of tests, including an MRI scan. These tests will reveal how bad the damage is and could provide a more definite return date.