8/16/2007
DPA

Madrid – Spanish first division club Osasuna announced on Thursday morning that Javad Nekounam would be out of action for at least six months after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Iranian midfielder suffered the serious injury after being on the field for just four minutes in Tuesday's pre-season Osasuna- Villarreal friendly.

Nekounam had only just returned to Osasuna on Monday, after playing for Iran in the Asian Cup.

Osasuna must also start the season without fellow midfielder Hugo Viana, out for at least two months after suffering a severely sprained ankle.