'Cursed' Diaby ruled out for four months

Marseille midfielder Abou Diaby's injury woes continued on Monday as he was ruled out for four months following an ankle operation, his club confirmed.

The French side said former Arsenal player Diaby underwent an operation in London after complaining of pains in his right ankle for several weeks.

His estimated time out means he is unlikely to return before the end of February.

Diaby, who won the last of his 16 caps for France in September 2012, has made just six appearances for Marseille since signing in the summer of last year, most recently in a defeat at Guingamp in August.

A serious ankle injury shortly after his arrival at Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 was the start of a long series of injuries that overshadowed his time in English football.

The Daily Mail calculated that he had 42 injuries in total in his nine seasons with the Gunners, missing 1 554 days altogether, and he has fared little better since moving to the Velodrome.