By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 6th July 2008
Nihat: Thigh surgery
Villarreal forward Nihat Kahveci could be out for up to four months after undergoing a successful operation on his right thigh.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury to his thigh in Turkey's quarter-final victory over Croatia at Euro 2008.
Nihat played a key role in Turkey's run through to the last four and scored twice in the dramatic 3-2 win against Czech Republic in Group A.
He was unable to play a part in the semi-final as Turkey lost 3-2 to Germany.
Nihat may now miss Turkey's first four World Cup qualifiers, which begin in the autumn.
The news will come as a major blow to Villarreal as they prepare for the new Primera Liga season and a UEFA Champions League campaign.
If his recovery takes as long as expected he will not be fit to return until the start of November.

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| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 3 | 9 |
| 2 | Russia | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | Sweden | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Greece | 3 | 0 |
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