Barcelona's Rafinha to miss about 6 months following knee surgery

Barcelona midfielder Rafinha will spend approximately the next six months recovering from knee surgery, the club announced Tuesday.

The 22-year-old tore the ligaments in his right knee taking a challenge from Roma's Radja Nainggolan in the Champions League last week.

To help ease the blow, Barcelona has asked FIFA for permission to field midfielder Arda Turan.

FIFA imposed a transfer ban on the club that lasts until January, but Barcelona contends that the two transfer windows have passed and therefore the ban has expired.