Udinese's Zapata to miss 4 months after hip flexor surgery

Milan - Udinese's Colombian striker Duvan Zapata is facing a four-month spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his hip flexor, the Serie A club announced Saturday.

Udinese said Zapata had undergone the operation at Rome's Villa Stuart clinic after he suffered the injury in last week's win over Bologna, when the Colombian struck the winner on 85 minutes.

"The recovery time will be in the region of four months," said a club statement.

Zapata recently joined the northerners from Napoli on a two-year loan deal with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the current season and is the club's top scorer with three goals in his league account.