Badu undergoes operation after injury setback in pre-season

The 27-year-old will stay off the pitch for a while due to fitness concerns

Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is set for some time in the treatment room following a surgery on Wednesday.

The Udinese midfielder was forced to go under the knife after picking up an injury in pre-season training.

He consequently missed Tuesday's 2-0 friendly victory over Slovenian club ND Gorica.

"Udinese Calcio reports that Emmanuel Badu's arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on [Wednesday] performed by Professor Mariani in the Villa Stuart structure in Rome was perfectly successful," Udinese announced via their official website.

"The player will remain hospitalized 24/36 hours and will subsequently move to Udine to begin the therapeutic path with the company's healthcare staff."

The layoff will be a blow to Badu's hopes of making an impression on Udinese manager Julio Velazquez, having spent last season on loan with Turkish outfit Bursaspor.

The 2009 Fifa Under-20 World Cup winner has also played for Spanish club Recreativo de Huelva and local clubs Asante Kotoko and Berekum Arsenal.