Everton blow as Li Tie breaks leg
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Everton midfielder Li Tie broke his right leg in training with China and will miss the rest of the season, the English Premier League club said on Thursday.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury in a tackle with team-mate Yang Pu as China prepared for their opening 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Kuwait in Beijing.
"When you're halfway around the world you never get quite the communication you'd expect but by all accounts Li Tie has broken his leg..." Everton manager David Moyes told the club's website.
Everton's medical team contacted Li Tie on Wednesday and were told scans had shown a break that requires a plaster cast.
Li Tie is expected to stay in China to start his rehabilitation before returning to Everton towards the end of the season.
"He was really pleased with himself that he impressed everyone last year and he'll be disappointed now that he's not able to put in a good end to the season," said Moyes.
Li Tie arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Shenyang-based Liaoning Bodao in July 2002 and was signed on a three-year contract in August last year for a fee of 1.2 million pounds ($2.28m).
