Newly promoted Levante have confirmed that striker Roger Martí will be out of action for up to six months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season friendly last weekend.

Levante's top scorer in promotion campaign

Roger top-scored for the Valencia-based side in Segunda last season with 22 goals, one behind the division’s top scorer, Lugo’s Joselu.

The 26-year-old former Valladolid forward left the pitch in the game against Almería on Saturday after a clash with opposition keeper Fernando and tests carried out on Monday confirmed the extent of his injury. He will be operated on in Barcelona next Thursday by specialist Ramón Cugat and is unlikely to feature in the first half of Levante’s Primera campaign, forcing the Segunda champions into the transfer market to seek a replacement.