体坛英语新闻：Villarreal lose Spain defender Capdevila for three weeks

MADRID, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Spanish BBVA Primera Liga club Villarreal will be without their Spain international defender Joan Capdevila for between two and three weeks after it was confirmed that he suffered a seriously twisted ankle.

Capdevila had to leave his side's 1-1 draw at home to local rivals Valencia of Saturday's game after 61 minutes after falling badly as he advanced down the left wing

The result leaves Villarreal third in the Primera Liga table, seven points behind second place FC Barcelona, but their left back will be out of action until the middle of December.

Tests carried out this Monday confirm that he has suffered a twisted ankle and that he will not be able to play for the next 15-20 days.

It is the first time he has suffered a serious injury in over four seasons at the club during which he has missed just five games, all of them for either the decision of his coach or through suspension.

Capdevila will now be out of action for his side's matches away to Zaragoza next weekend, as well as the Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb and the following League clash with Sevilla.

He will aim to return for their visit to play Getafe in mid-December, but until then his place in the side will be taken by youth team product Joan Oriol.

"What I aim to do now is relax and recover well. Oriol is prepared to do the job, he has got an opportunity now and I am certain he will take advantage of it," commented Capdevila on the official Villarreal website.