Greek international striker Giorgos Samaras will be out of action for at least a month after sustaining an arm injury playing for his country against Latvia in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, team doctors said on Saturday.

Medical tests after the 2-1 win showed that the 27-year-old Celtic star had suffered ligament damage in his left arm and will need four to five weeks to fully recover and be able to play again.

Team doctors were expected to reassess the player's condition again Sunday before Samaras departs for Scotland to rejoin his club on Monday.

Samaras, a doubtful starter due to a previous back injury, was used by coach Fernando Santos in the second half for 22 minutes as a substitute and Greece down 1-0 at the time.

He helped turn the match around with his performance as the Greeks scored twice to open their campaign with a win.

The injury will mean that Samaras misses Greece's next World Cup qualifier at home to Lithuania on Tuesday as well as Celtic's opening games in the Champions League.

"Giorgos is a fantastic player. In the match with Latvia he came in during the second half and showed that he is in top form,» said Fanis Gekas, the scorer of Greece's winning goal.

"Injuries are part of soccer and one must live with this. Giorgos will be missed but I'm sure whoever plays in his place will give his best and fill in the void he left behind."

[AFP]