Leganes winger Roberto Ibanez out for the season with knee ligament injury
Leganes winger Roberto Ibanez has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage, the club has confirmed.
Ibanez scored his team's goals before the injury forced him out of Monday's 2-0 home win over Osasuna -- their first ever home victory in La Liga.
Coach Asier Garitano said afterwards that he feared Ibanez's injury would be serious and a statement from the club on Wednesday said: "Roberto Ibanez has a lesion in his anterior cruciate ligament and the internal collateral ligament of his right knee.
"His estimated absence is the entire season."
Ibanez wrote on his Instagram account: "I never thought it could end like this. Just when I was at my best, this injury appears.
"I'm certain I will return stronger and a better player. Thanks to everyone for their support."
Después del partido de ayer nunca pensé que podría acabar así, cuando estaba en mi mejor momento aparece esta lesión ,lo que tengo claro es que volveré mas fuerte y mejor futbolista Muchas gracias a todos por los ánimos ������������
A photo posted by Roberto Ibañez Castro (@rober.ic77) on
Ibanez, who joined Leganes in August on a season-long loan from Valencia, scored two goals and set up one more in five league appearances for the Madrid club.
Monday's win ended a four-match losing streak and lifted them to 15th -- four points clear of the drop zone -- but also proved costly for two other players.
Spanish defender Diego Rico and Argentinian midfielder Alexander Szymanowski suffered injuries, and no time frame has been set on their returns.
The club said: "Rico has an important bone bruise, an anterior crucial ligament knee sprain and a muscle strain in his right thigh.
"Szymanowski has a grade two sprain in his right knee. Both of their conditions will be evaluated."
