Spain defender Carles Puyol looks set to miss Euro 2012 after the Barcelona captain was booked in for a knee operation which will sideline him for six weeks.
Puyol will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Saturday after experiencing discomfort in his knee during Barcelona's 4-0 derby win over Espanyol at the weekend.
He is expected to be out of action for six weeks, meaning the 34-year-old would be unavailable for at least the group phase of the European Championship.
Coach Vicente del Bosque must now decide whether to include the versatile defender in his 23-man squad, knowing Puyol will be short of match fitness for the latter stages of the tournament.
Puyol was a member of Spain's Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup winning teams, and this summer's competition may have been his last on the international stage.
The holders will face Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Croatia in the group phase and also have several warm-up friendlies to play.
Barcelona's decision to book Puyol in for surgery also means he will sit out the final Primera Liga game of the season against Real Betis this weekend and also the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao later this month.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12024/7739675/Puyol-set-to-miss-Euros
