HAMILTON ACADEMICAL defender Jesus Garcia Tena will miss at least six months of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage. 

The Spaniard was hurt during the Betfred League Cup game against Ayr United on the opening day of the season and the club today revealed the severity of the injury.

Accies have projected a spell on the sidelines of around half a year for the versatile defender, who scored four goals in 25 appearances for the club last season.Glasgow Times:

Player/manager Martin Canning admitted that losing Garcia Tena is a gut punch so close to the start of the league campaign.

“It is a big blow to lose a player of Jesus’ technical ability so early in the season," he told the club website.

"He is a great reader of the game and his skill set will be a big miss for us. We wish him well with his operation and subsequent rehab where I am sure he will receive the best of attention.”