Higuain facing surgery for herniated disk

Real Madrid’s Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain has a herniated disk and may need to undergo surgery which would sideline him for around two months, the Spanish club’s doctor Carlos Diez said Wednesday.

“After a period of five to six weeks, during which no improvement was seen, we all agree that he should have surgery. We must now decide what specialist to see for a second opinion, and if we all agree, proceed with the operation,” he told reporters.

“Should this be the case, Higuain will be unable to participate in sports for approximately two months,” he added.

The 22-year-old has not played since Real’s 5-1 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao on November 20. He was replaced by French striker Karim Benzema during Real’s 5-0 away loss to Barcelona on Monday.

Higuain has scored seven times in La Liga and twice in the Champions League this season.

Sports daily Marca reported Tuesday that Real could seek to recruit a new striker in the winter transfer period to make up for Higuain’s absence if he needed to undergo surgery.

It said Werder Bremen’s Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida was a strong candidate.