Surgery makes Gerard a World Cup doubt

The midfielder has been plagued by knee problems for the last two seasons, and Barca officials decided corrective surgery on a damaged cartilage in his right knee was required.

The latest operation will keep him out for at least three months, meaning he is likely to miss the World Cup finals.

The 23-year-old, who has played 15 games this term, picked up the injury in training on Friday and was immediately informed surgery was required.

This latest setback will be a serious blow the £13 million-man`s chances of making Spain`s World Cup squad, as he will have little chance to prove his fitness to Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho in the run of to this summer`s tournament in Japan and Korea.

The midfielder, who moved from Valencia in the summer of 2000, is no stranger to the surgeon`s knife, having had a similar operation last spring.