Injury rules Javi Lara out of ISL, ATK find alternative in Jorge Alonso

THE GROIN INJURY that Javi Lara picked up earlier during the ISL season has forced him out for the rest of the tournament. The Atletico de Kolkata management received the confirmation from the medical team in Spain, where the player has been under treatment for the last two weeks.

A 30 year old Spanish midfielder, Lara played for Eibar at the La Liga during the 2014-15 season. He made 3 appearances for ATK before being forced out by the injury, scoring once.

Fortunately for the defending ISL champions, franchises are allowed to sign replacements for injured players till the 10th round. So they have wasted no time in snapping up another Spanish midfielder, Jorge Alonso Martin, as an alternative to Lara. 

Alonso is of similar age and height as Javi Lara. A product of the academy UD Salamanca, he rose through the ranks at the club to make it to their first team, which plays in the Spanish Segunda Division. He went on to play for other clubs in the 2nd tier, including Hercules and Real Valladolid. He also represented Bnei Sakhnin in the Israeli Premier League. He finished the 2014-15 season playing for Guijuelo in the Spanish Segunda Division B (third tier league).

News of the signing was announced at the pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico de Kolkata's match against Chennaiyin FC tomorrow. Whether or not Alonso will make his debut for his new team in that match remains to be seen.