ESP - Garbajosa facing several months out (+ videos)

TORONTO (NBA) - Spain international Jorge Garbajosa will miss several months after undergoing surgery on his left leg and ankle on Tuesday.

The Toronto Raptors forward has been told to stay off his feet for a minimum of 10 weeks, and the team has made no timetable for his return.

The surgery comes after several months of injury woe for Garbajosa, who was first hurt back in March during a game against the Boston Celtics.

He was told he would need surgery on the leg and ankle then, but opted not to have the procedure in order to play for Spain in EuroBasket 2007 during the summer.

The Raptors had originally denied the 29-year-old permission to play in the tournament because of the injury concerns.

However, the two sides settled on a last-minute deal - including an expensive insurance policy.

Toronto advised him that another operation was "the best option for a complete recovery," but the club issued a statement prior to the tournament to say Garbajosa had chosen "to pursue a non-surgical path back to the basketball floor."

However, the problem has not gone away and Garbajosa was placed on the injured list on November 20 after an MRI revealed he would need surgery.

In seven games this season, the Spaniard has averaged 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10 minutes per contest.

In his rookie season, the 245-pound Garbajosa averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 67 games.

Garbajosa before the NBA

FIBA