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Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been ruled out for up to six months by an Achilles injury sustained while on international duty with Israel.

The 30-year-old will go under the knife in Finland at the start of next week, having suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during training.

A brief statement on the Blues' official club website read:"Yossi Benayoun will undergo surgery on his Achilles on Monday.

"The Israel international returned to the club from international duty last week and will now be out of action for approximately six months."

Benayoun, who only moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer from Liverpool, has recently been sidelined by a calf problem and has not featured for his club since the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle United in late September.

The former West Ham United and Racing Santander schemer has scored once in six appearances for Chelsea to date.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email