Mallorca winger Michael Pereira has been ruled out for at least a month after straining his cruciate ligament in a friendly against Dutch side Groningen.
The injury occurred after a less-than-friendly challenge from the opposition forward Nicklas Pedersen left the Frenchman crying in pain. It was initially feared that the ligament had been torn and Pereira would miss the entire season but later tests conducted by club doctors back in Palma revealed that it was no more than a strain.
The challenge also caused a twisted right ankle and is a major setback for the 23-year-old who has spent the summer training hard in a bid to prove himself in his second full season at the club.
The former Mallorca B player’s absence will also be a blow to Los Bermellones as they prepare for the new season. His five goals from the right of midfield last year made him one of the top scorers for the club in only his first season of top-flight football.
The game ended 2-2 and was the final match of a mixed pre-season for Michael Laudrup’s men. They finished with two wins, three draws and two losses and now return to Palma to continue their fitness preparation ahead of an opening La Liga fixture at Rayo Vallecano on Aug 21.
