Valencia's Silva needs surgery, out three months

David Silva will be out of action for three months after being told by Valencia that he will require surgery on his troublesome ankle.

Los Che's medical team reached a concensus on the best course of action for the 22-year-old and have told him that he will need to have an operation, said team doctor Antonio Giner.

The latest set of tests showed that physiotherapy and rest alone would not be enough for Silva to fully recover from the knock and he is now set to go into the Quirón Hospital in Barcelona.

No one incident caused the problem with Giner explaining that several blows to the same area had caused the inflammation of the ligament.

Silva will undergo surgery next Thursday and will then start out on the long road to recovery that may see him able to play just before Christmas break.

Immediately after having the operation, the Spain international will have to learn to use crutches as he will not be able to walk on his foot for three weeks.

The injury is a huge blow to a player that was in demand over the summer as several of Europe's biggest clubs made inquiries about his services following an impressive display at Euro 2008.