Umtiti out for three months after foot surgery

Samuel Umtiti is expected to be out of action for around three months after undergoing surgery on a fractured metatarsal, Barcelona have announced.

France international Umtiti had a procedure on his right foot on Tuesday and will be consigned to the sidelines until April at the earliest.

A club statement read: "Samuel Umtiti has undergone successful surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

"Tuesday's operation was performed by Dr Antoni Dalmau under supervision of the FC Barcelona Medical Services. He is expected to be out of action for around three months.

"The French centre-back suffered the fracture in training on Monday."

LATEST NEWS | @samumtiti has been successfully operated on for the fracture to the fifth metatarsal of his right foot by Dr. Antoni Dalmau, under the supervision of the Club's Medical Services. He will be out for approximately three months. pic.twitter.com/P7TrkhLvnl

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 18, 2022

Umtiti this month signed a new contract that tied him to Camp Nou until 2026, despite having been heavily linked with an exit.

The World Cup-winning defender's three-year extension included a temporary pay decrease that allowed new signing Ferran Torres to be registered.

Umtiti has long been a peripheral figure at Barcelona, featuring in just 17 games in all competitions since the start of last season.