Brazil's Diego Alves out of Copa America

Diego Alves against Real Madrid

Valencia, May 24 (IANS)

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves will miss the Copa America which kicks-off at the end of the first week of June after it was confirmed on Sunday that he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The Brazilian international, who has been the first choice for Valencia all season, suffered the injury in the 70th minute of his side's 3-2 win away to Almeria which saw them qualify for next season's Champions League, reports Xinhua.

He received treatment on the pitch on two separate occasions before finally falling over when attempting a goal-kick and had to be carried off the pitch.

Alves underwent tests on Sunday morning which confirmed the extent of the injury and he will now need an operation and around six months to recover, meaning the club will almost certainly be in the market for a new goalkeeper once the summer transfer market opens.