Valencia captain Jose Gaya has been ruled out of Euro 2024 due to a recurring hamstring injury.
The experienced full back has been battling back to full fitness in recent weeks and eventually forced his way into the Los Che squad.
However, he was substituted on and off again, in the closing stages of Valencia’s 3-1 La Liga loss to Girona last weekend.
Gaya was visibly distressed as he was helped off the pitch by the Valencia medical staff with the same injury flaring up.
As per reports from Diario AS, the club have now opted for surgery, which will keep him sidelined for several months.
Alongside missing out on Spain duty this summer, the 28-year-old will also miss preseason at Valencia, as he works on a rehabilitation programme.
Luis de la Fuente is due to announce his updated provisional squad on May 27 and Gaya’s absence is another defensive blow.
Bayer Leverkusen star Alejandro Grimaldo could now be elevated to first choice at left back on the back of a superb club campaign in Germany.
