Knee operation for Real Sociedad defender Martinez

 　　MADRID, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad defender¹ Inigo Martinez will be out of action for the rest of the season after damaging his cruciate ligaments last weekend.

　　Martinez was injured during his side' s 4-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and although the result means his side are just about safe from relegation², it has come at a heavy price.

　　Martinez broke his meniscus ligament following a challenge from Rayo striker Diego Costa and will undergo an operation this Tuesday. The recovery time is around six months for this kind of treatment, which means that Martinez will not only miss the rest of this season, but will have to spend the summer recovering and will probably not be fit for the start of the 2012-2013 campaign.

　　It is a severe blow to the Spain Under-21 international, who has so far enjoyed a fine season and has even scored two goals from his own half in games against Betis and Athletic³ Club Bilbao. Those performances had brought him to the attention of some of the bigger clubs in Spain and FC Barcelona had been rumoured⁴ to have been following his progress.

　　Any potential move will now have to be put on hold until the young defender completes his recovery.

1 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

2 relegation   

n.驱逐，贬黜；降级

参考例句：

• Liaoning team lost this game, is still deeply avoid relegation zone. 辽宁队本场失利后，仍然深陷保级区。 来自互联网
• In society, relegation is based on your income. 社会上的规类是以你的收入为基准。 来自互联网

3 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

4 rumoured   

adj.谣传的；传说的；风

参考例句：

• It has been so rumoured here. 此间已有传闻。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• It began to be rumoured that the jury would be out a long while. 有人传说陪审团要退场很久。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记