Artur Ionita was operated in Rome and will be unable to play for the national football team of Moldova in the match against Georgia of the qualifying rounds of the 2018 UEFA World Cup, IPN reports.

The halfback had the metal rod removed from his right leg after a previous operation. Ionita is the only Moldovan who plays in the championship of Italy. During three seasons he managed to score nine goals for Hellas Verona and Cagliari.

Alexandru Gatcan was suspended and will also not play against Georgia. The encounter between Moldova and Georgia was set to take place in Chisinau on June 11, 2017.