Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin out for the remaining season with knee injury

Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin is out for rest of season because of a knee injury, Spanish club said Monday.

Coquelin was hurt in first half of 1-0 loss against league leer Barcelona on Sunday and h to be taken off field on a stretcher.

Villarreal said tests on Monday showed that Coquelin sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“ French midfielder will undergo surgery in coming days and will unfortunately miss remainder of current season," Villarreal said in a statement. “Furr details of operation will be released by club in near future.”

It was third straight loss for eighth-place Villarreal, which has only one win in its last six matches in all competitions.