Argentinian midfielder Luciano Civelli is expected to be out until next year having undergone surgery on the knee ligament injury he sustained during the 1-1 draw against Burnley.

The 22-year-old underwent an operation lasting two-and-a-half hours on Friday and spent the weekend in hospital.

Physio Matt Byard told the club site that the former Banfield man will make a full recovery but faces a long spell out of action: "It's a complex injury and has to be carefully managed and we are fortunate that we have two of the leading knee specialists in the country in Mark Bowditch and Andy Williams working with us.

"Mark assessed Luca within an hour of the injury taking place and then discussed the best way forward with Andy before Andy did the operation last Friday.

"Luca has multi-ligament damage to his right knee. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments and had reconstructive surgery on them. He also had extensive damage to his lateral collateral ligaments and tore cartilage as well.

"We are pleased with the way the surgery has gone and he is now on crutches and at home in Ipswich and being looked after by his family.

"It's obviously a long-term injury and we are not expecting him to return to training until the New Year. He will need time after that to build up his match fitness, but the knee, post-surgery, is strong and stable and we anticipate Luca completing a full recovery."

Photo: Action Images

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