Garcia out 6-8 weeks with hamstring injury

TT and AEK Athens winger Levi Garcia may miss the group stage of the UEFA Europa League after suffering a serious hamstring injury on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, signed last month for the Greek club, was injured during a Greek Super League match against Atromitos FCA – just his fourth game for his new team.

He was included in the starting XI but had to be replaced in the 15th minute after going down with no contact. He was carried off on a stretcher by medical staff.

Garcia had collected a pass from teammate Karim Ansarifard on the right flank and eluded Atromitos defender Spyros Natos with a bit of trickery. But racing free, he went to ground visibly in pain clutching his left thigh.

Garcia told Newsday on Monday he suffered a second-degree tear to his hamstring.

He said it is a “difficult situation to be in.”

It was only four days ago AEK Athens defeated VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 to secure a spot in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. The team was placed in group G on Friday, along with former English Premier League champions Leicester City FC, Portugal's Braga and Ukrainian team Zorya Luhansk.

The group stage will run from October 22 to December 10.

Garcia is likely to miss most of these games.

"I can’t even explain the feeling,” he said but added: “I’ll be back stronger.”