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Van der Vaart out for "at least one month"
13 February: Ajax will have to miss out on its topscorer and
'revelation of the season' for at least one month. Rafaël
van der Vaart, who turned 19 on February 11, underwent knee
surgery in Amsterdam's V.U. Hospital this morning to repair a
small tear in the inner cartilage of his right knee.
The doctors said the surgery was "succesful", but added that
the recovery will take several weeks. If the prognosis of at
least one month turns out to be correct, Van der Vaart will
miss at least five Ajax games: against AZ (17 February), NAC
(24 February), Fortuna Sittard (27 February), Feyenoord (03
March), as well as the Amstel Cup semi-final against PSV (07
March, however yet to be confirmed). The game against SC
Heerenveen (17 March) may also come too early for Van der
Vaart.
The left midfielder twisted his knee in Sunday's home
against RKC Waalwijk, as he tried to block the ball in a duel
with RKC's Dejan Govedarica.
This injury is a major disappointment for Van der Vaart
himself, for his coach and team, but also for the attendees of
Ajax USA's trip to Amsterdam,
taking place from 01 to 10 March: it has become highly unlikely
that Van der Vaart will be recovered in time to play in that
week. (MP)
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