Real academy duo blow as Lobete and Mikel Rodríguez likely out for season | OneFootball

Two Real Sociedad academy graduates, Julen Lobete and Mikel Rodríguez, have suffered serious knee injuries, with anterior cruciate ligament damage confirmed on Friday after incidents in training on Thursday. According to Diario Vasco, both are likely to miss the season.

Rodríguez, signed by Alavés this summer with Real retaining a buy-back option, has torn the ACL in his right knee and will require surgery. In his first spell away from the club he had started regularly for Quique Sánchez Flores and scored on the opening weekend. He had previously spent time on loan at Pasaia in Tercera.

Real Sociedad posted messages of support on social media once the diagnosis was announced, after his reaction on Thursday had already raised concern.

Lezo-born Lobete, now at Málaga, has ruptured the ACL in his left knee with damage to the medial collateral ligament. He made his top-flight debut for Real under Imanol Alguacil and scored twice, including against Mallorca at Anoeta on the day the 2021 Copa del Rey was shown to supporters.

This was set to be his first season registered as a Primera División player. Although not in Funes' plans, he still played minutes last term in Málaga's promotion campaign.

With recoveries expected to take about eight months, both players are effectively out for the campaign.

Source: Diario Vasco

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