Source: PA
Benayoun blow for Blues
Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been ruled out for up to six months due to an Achilles injury suffered while on international duty with Israel.
The 30-year-old, who joined the Blues from Liverpool in the summer, will undergo surgery on the injury on Monday, the club have confirmed.
Benayoun ruptured his Achilles during an Israel training session last week before returning to the club.
"Yossi Benayoun will undergo surgery on his Achilles on Monday," a statement on the club's website said. "The Israeli international returned to the club from international duty last week, and will now be out of action for approximately six months."
That effectively means the midfielder will be out of action for the remainder of the season with any return unlikely to occur before the end of April.
It leaves the Blues short on midfield cover after after they signed Benayoun as a replacement for Joe Cole, who they opted to release at the end of last year.
