Valencia have confirmed Sergio Canales faces six months out after knee surgery.

Canales damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first half of last weekend's league game with Athletic Bilbao and, after going under the knife in Madrid yesterday, Valencia estimate he could be sidelined until April.

The 20-year-old Canales joined Valencia on loan from Real Madrid this summer and has made 11 appearances for Valencia in all competitions this season, scoring once.