Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG FC recently suffered another setback after attacking midfielder Dario Conca was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

ESPN reported that the 33-year-old Argentine playmaker tore the "crucial ligament in his left knee and he will not return to action until next season" after the Red Eagles 4-1 victory over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright in the domestic competitions at the Shanghai Stadium on Aug. 19.

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Conca is set to undergo surgery in the United States and will no longer be able to join his squad not only in the CSL but also in its crucial AFC Champions League quarterfinals match against K League Classic champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Sep. 13.

SIPG settled to a goalless draw with Jeonbuk during their first leg meeting last week also at their home stadium in Shanghai, via Cri English, and will need to perform better in the second leg at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in South Korea to advance in the semifinals of the said tournament.

Aside from Conca, head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's will also be missing the services of Brazilian winger Hulk, who is still out with a thigh and leg injury, and Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, who is currently in England preparing a loan move to either the Premier League's Sunderland or the Championship's Reading FC.

With that, Eriksson will be left with another Brazilian, striker Elkeson, Ivorian forward Jean Evrard Kouassi, and South Korean defender Kim Ju-young as his only reinforcements during the upcoming Champions League match.

"Shanghai SIPG's key player Dario Conca will fly to the US for surgery," the club said in an official statement. "Thanks for his great contribution to our club since joining, but unfortunately he won't be with us for the rest of the season."

"No matter where we are, we are one team. SIPG will fight to be the best. We hope Conca can recover as soon as possible so he can be with us again soon," the statement added.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Shanghai SIPG FC, dario conca