The Manchester City footballer Wayne Bridge has undergone hernia surgery and is likely to miss most of the rest of the English Premier League season.
The left back Bridge, who has made himself unavailable for England's World Cup squad following an extra-marital affair between his ex-girlfriend and fellow defender John Terry, suffered the injury against Sunderland at the weekend.
City officials have confirmed the 29-year-old had surgery earlier this week and will battle to feature again this season with the sixth-placed club fighting for a Champions League place.
