Vermaelen may need surgery to resolve hamstring problem

The nightmare continues for Thomas Vermaelen.

The defender has yet to make an appearance for Barcelona since his £15 million move to the club from Arsenal this summer. Judging by recent comments from sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, the situation could get worse before it gets better.

Vermaelen, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in June during the World Cup with Belgium, has already been ruled out of Barca's Champions League match against APOEL this week, and talk has emerged of the defender possibly going under the knife to cure the ailment.

“We don’t know if Vermaelen is now going to need surgery, we are studying the situation,” Zubizarreta was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “We are worried for him and the medical staff are evaluating what is best.”