Real Sociedad face blow with Hamari Traore and Brais Mendez injuries

Traore's injury is particularly severe. The right-back underwent medical tests, confirming the worst fears from Sunday's match against Getafe: he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

This injury, which will sideline Traore for the remainder of the season, was evident after a challenging performance against Getafe, where he struggled both defensively and offensively.

Real Sociedad's coach, Imanol Alguacil, has placed his trust in Traore since his arrival just over a year ago, but the player's impact was limited, exacerbated by his injury and the team's overall poor form.

Traore's absence leaves a significant gap in the squad, particularly as he was in the final year of his contract with Sociedad.

The club have an option to extend his contract by another year, but his injury may influence future negotiations, especially considering his age, he turns 33 in January. A younger player might have been more assured of a contract extension, but Traoré's situation will require careful consideration.

In addition to Traore's setback, Sociedad have also confirmed that Brais Mendez has suffered a recurrence of a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Mendez, who was substituted during the match against Getafe, had previously undergone surgery for a similar injury last March.

His early exit from the game was marked by visible pain and an immediate request for substitution, leading to him being seen on crutches post-match.

The medical update from San Sebastian confirmed the recurrence of the metatarsal fracture, meaning Mendez will face another stint on the sidelines. This is a significant blow for Sociedad, especially as they are already grappling with squad issues.

Arsen Zakharyan is currently unavailable due to surgery, and Luka Sucic was also unable to play due to physical discomfort.

The absence of both Traoré and Mendez will undoubtedly challenge Real Sociedad's depth and performance as they navigate the remainder of the season.