The injury to striker Shoji Jo has proved much more serious than initially thought, forcing the Valladolid and Japan striker to be sidelined for the rest of the season, the Spanish first division club said Monday.
Doctors who examined Jo with magnetic resonance imaging tests on Sunday and Monday said he suffered cartilage and ligament damage in his left knee and needs five to six months to recover.
Valladolid plans to have him undergo surgery.
Jo hurt his left knee in the first half of last Wednesday's 0-0 draw in Japan's home friendly with China, but played on until two minutes before full time.
The World Cup forward has scored twice in 10 games since joining Valladolid from J. League club Yokohama F. Marinos in January on a six-month loan deal.