Slovakia forward to miss EURO 2012 qualifiers vs Russia, Macedonia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Robert Vittek is set to miss the entire UEFA Champions League group stage after being ruled out for six months with a cruciate ligament injury.

Trabzonspor AS's Slovakian forward Robert Vittek is set to miss the entire UEFA Champions League group stage after being ruled out for six months with a cruciate ligament injury.

Vittek was forced off four minutes into the second half of 1-0 defeat by Istanbul BB SK, with Trabzonspor subsequently confirming that he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Slovakian international, who only joined from MKE Ankaragucu in September, is expected to be out until March. He spent more than five months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem last term.

Senol Gunes' team kicked off Group B with a 1-0 triumph over 2010 winners FC Internazionale Milano. They host Ligue 1 titleholders LOSC Lille Metropole on Tuesday week.

Vittek will also miss Slovakia's concluding UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers, against section leaders Russia on 7 October and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia four days later. Slovakia, Russia, the Republic of Ireland and Armenia all have realistic hopes of finishing in the top two, UEFA official website reported.