Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer is set to miss a series of key matches, including next week's showdown with Serie A title rivals Napoli, after going under the knife for a fracture in his right thumb.
Sommer is expected to be out for as long as a month after suffering the injury in training, and will be replaced by Josep Martinez for Saturday's home fixture with Genoa.
"The operation was a success. After a period of rest, as agreed with Inter's medical staff, Sommer will begin his rehabilitation phase next week," said champions Inter in statement.
After Genoa, Inter host Lazio in the Italian Cup quarter-finals, then travel to Napoli before facing Feyenoord home and away in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the visit of Monza sandwiched between.
Former Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer is expected to miss all of those matches and the subsequent trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta on March 16, their final match before the next international break.
Inter are two points behind league leaders Napoli ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures which kicks off on Friday night with Lecce hosting Udinese.
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