23 July 2007, by Lorna Danion

Viana breaks foot but stays positive

Midfielder’s Osasuna move gets off to worst possible start

New Osasuna signing Hugo Viana has seen his preparations for the upcoming season ruined with the news that he will be out for the next three to four months with a broken foot.

The Portuguese suffered a break to the fifth metatarsal bone of his right foot during an evening training session over the weekend, and left the club’s base on Sunday morning for Valencia.

The 24-year-old will be evaluated by doctors of Valencia, the club from which he joined Osasuna on loan earlier this month, with radiological tests to be carried out on Monday to decide whether the player will need surgery.

Patxi Cipriain, head of Osasuna’s medical department, will keep a close eye on Viana’s progress over the course of the next three or four months.

Hugo Viana was only presented as an Osasuna player on Thursday last week, and says it was an easy decision to join the club on a season-long loan from Valencia.

The 24-year-old endured a frustrating year at the Mestalla last season, spending most of the campaign on the substitutes’ bench, but the former Sporting man shunned interest from Portugal to continue his career in La Liga.

Portugal return turned down

“I had offers from Portuguese clubs, but the Spanish league is a higher standard than the Portuguese,” said Viana. “Also, Osasuna’s project is important. There is a realistic chance that we can return to the Uefa Cup.”

“They called my representatives and I took five minutes to return the call with a ‘yes’. It was easy, because Osasuna is a club with history. Also, whenever I have faced Osasuna they have been a very tough side, and I would like us to keep being an important team.”

Speaking after the diagnosis was given on his injury Viana was determined to stay positive despite the worst possible start to his spell at the Pamplona side.

“The doctors are confident that in little over two months I’ll be able to play again. Missing the start of the Spanish League and some Portugal matches is no drama. What’s important is that I’m ready to play again in October,” said Viana.