Aymeric Laporte has been ruled out for the rest of the season after Athletic Bilbao confirmed he had to undergo surgery after breaking his leg on international duty.
The 21-year-old defender, who is heavily linked to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City next season, sustained the injury to his right leg in a tackle while playing for France Under-21s against Scotland on Thursday.
Bilbao revealed he underwent surgery on Tuesday and is set to miss up to four months, ruling him out of the rest of the 2015-16 season.
"The player has been operated on Tuesday 29 March at the IMQ Zorrotzaurre clinic for the injury that occurred last Thursday," a Bilbao statement read.
"It consisted of an osteosynthesis of the fracture of the fibula and has gone smoothly.
"He will remain admitted for 48-72 hrs, after which he will be discharged if there are no complications.
"The estimated period of recovery from such injuries is between three and four months."
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