Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela has undergone surgery on his injured knee and is expected to be sidelined for two months, the Basque outfit have announced.
The Mexico international tore the meniscus in his right knee during Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Real Madrid and went under the knife in San Sebastian on Monday morning.
A statement from the club read: "Carlos Vela underwent arthroscopic surgery this morning to repair a torn interior meniscus in his right knee.
"Vela will remain in hospital until tomorrow and if there are no complications, he will be able to go home to begin his recovery progress at the club's sporting headquarters in Zubieta.
"The expected recovery time for the player to return to play varies but in the majority of cases it is achieved after eights weeks of rehabilitation."
Vela's absence is a huge setback for Sociedad coach David Moyes with the former Arsenal player having scored seven goals and set up two more in 20 La Liga appearances this season.
The 25-year-old is set to miss eight league games but could return to action when Sociedad travel to the Vicente Calderon to face defending champions Atletico Madrid on April 8.
Sociedad are 13th in the league standings and just four points clear of the drop zone.
