Swansea City striker Michu needs an ankle operation that will rule him out for up to six weeks.
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The Spaniard, 27, missed the 2-1 loss to Everton and was told he required surgery after undergoing scans on Monday and Tuesday.
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"It's not good news," said Swansea manager Michael Laudrup.
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The Dane added: "He will need an operation. It can be done in the next week and he should be back playing in around a month and a half."
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Michu has scored 28 goals for the Swans since joining from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2012, but has been hindered by ankle and knee issues throughout the current campaign.
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The loss of the Spain international further dents Swansea's attacking resources, with winger Nathan Dyer likely to be sidelined until February after suffering an ankle ligament injury in the recent draw at Norwich
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Laudrup said the combination of the two injuries means it is likely he will look to bring in a forward during the January transfer window.
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Among the players Swansea have been linked with is Liverpool striker Iago Aspas, who Laudrup actively pursued last summer.
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"What has happened in the last couple of weeks has changed things," Laudrup admitted.
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"We will probably do something now in January and try to add something that we don't have in certain positions. The numbers are a bit down and that is risky for the last four months of the season."
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Swansea coach Alan Curtis said losing their star striker was a blow, especially during the busy holiday schedule, but added the prognosis could have been much worse.
That is a very big blow for Swansea City because that is their main man. It will affect them no doubt