Pliatsikas ruled out of World Cup

January 7, 2010

Young Greek star Vassilios Pliatsikas has been ruled out for the rest of the season by Schalke after tearing a knee ligament in training. The injury will also keep him out of Greece’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Pliatsikas, 21, suffered the injury on Monday as Schalke trained in Spain during the Bundesliga’s winter break. Team doctors confirmed the extent of the injury after further examination in Düsseldorf.

The youngster, who typically plays in a defensive midfield role for Schalke, joined the club on a €300,000 transfer from AEK Athens at the start of the season. He has made eight appearances for Schalke this season.

Pliatsikas, who has four appearances all time for Greece since his debut at age 19, had been in line to possibly be named to Otto Rehhagel’s 23-man squad for South Africa, though that dream is likely ended with the injury.

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