Canales set for long spell out

Valencia midfielder Sergio Canales could be out of action for between three and six months with a knee ligament injury, the La Liga club have confirmed. Canales, who joined Valencia on loan from Real Madrid in the summer, partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first half of yesterday's game against Athletic Bilbao. Canales is set to travel to Madrid tomorrow for further analysis of the injury and Valencia medical chief Jordi Candel feels Canales could be missing for between three and six months. Canales said on his Twitter account: "Many thanks to everyone, I'll never tire of saying thanks. I am more eager than ever to recover." Canales has made 11 appearances for Valencia in all competitions this season, scoring once.