De la Pena surgery last chance to save career
Reuters - Thursday 04 February 2010, 13:53
MADRID - Espanyol playmaker Ivan de la Pena
will have surgery on a persistent muscle problem in his right
leg in an attempt to save his career, the La Liga player said.
"We've tried everything to avoid surgery but it has been no
good. Going under the knife is the only remaining solution to
see whether I'll be able to compete again," the 33-year-old told
reporters on Thursday.
De la Pena, who is expected to be out for two to three
months, came up through Barcelona's youth system and had spells
with Lazio and Olympique Marseille before joining Espanyol in
2002. He has been capped five times by Spain.