Alex Telles is set to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, according to FC Porto's latest update.
The Brazilian defender has been ruled out for at least two months after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in training on Tuesday. The injury occurred during a training session and will require surgery to repair the damage.
Telles was already struggling with injuries this season, having missed several games due to various ailments. However, the latest setback means that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
The news comes as a major blow to FC Porto, who have struggled defensively this season. The club has conceded 27 goals in just 14 league matches, which is the second-highest total in the league behind only Benfica.
Despite the setback, FC Porto manager Paulo Bento remains optimistic about the team's chances of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Europa League next season.
"We have to keep fighting,Primeira Liga Hotspots" said Bento. "We have lost one key player but we still have other players who can make up for it."
In the meantime, FC Porto will need to find replacements for Telles, with the likes of Raphael Guerreiro and Bruno Fernandes being mentioned as potential options.
However, the loss of Telles will undoubtedly leave a void in the team's defense, especially given the team's struggles so far this season.
Overall, the news of Alex Telles' injury is a significant setback for FC Porto, but the club will continue to fight until the end of the season.