Valencia 'keeper Alves suffers cruciate ligament blow

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves is expected to be out of action for six months after tearing the cruciate ligament in his right knee as Los Che sealed Champions League football for next season with a 3-2 win over Almeria on Saturday. "After the tests carried out today it has been confirmed that Diego Alves has torn the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in his right knee which will require an operation," the club said in a statement on their website on Sunday. Alves had been named in the Brazil squad for the Copa America next month, but will miss that tournament as well as Valencia's qualifier for the group stages of the Champions League in August.