ESP - Garbajosa set for tests on ankle

TORONTO (NBA) - Spain forward Jorge Garbajosa will see a specialist in Baltimore on Monday following reports he could miss the rest of the Toronto Raptors' season.

Garbajosa has missed three of Toronto's last four games and is averaging just 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in seven games this campaign.

"We have arranged for Jorge to consult with a specialist in Baltimore on Monday," the team's statement read. "Future treatment and therapy options remain undetermined at this point."

A 6ft 9in power forward, Garbajosa suffered a serious injury at the end of March in a game against the Boston Celtics that required surgery on his left ankle and leg.

However, he 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."

But it seems as if the injury finally has caught up with Garbajosa, who was a key contributor in his rookie season for the Raptors en route to their surprising Atlantic Division title in 2006-07.

In appearing in 67 games, Garbajosa averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in a reserve role.

FIBA