Real Betis' Colombian international striker Cucho Hernandez has been ruled out of action after sustaining a calf injury during their recent La Liga clash against Barcelona. The Seville-based club confirmed on Monday that medical tests revealed an injury to the proximal soleus muscle in his left calf.

While Betis has not provided a definitive timeline for his return, sources close to the club suggest Hernandez could be sidelined for approximately a month. This unfortunate development means he will miss significant upcoming fixtures, including Champions League matches against Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund, La Liga encounters with Celta, Malaga, and Elche, as well as a Copa del Rey tie away to Navalcarnero. He will also be unavailable for the Colombian national team during the next international break.

This injury poses a considerable challenge for Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, who now finds himself with limited attacking options. Following the summer departures of Chimy Ávila and Cedric Bakambu, Irish international Troy Parrott is currently the only fit specialist striker available. Hernandez has been a vital part of Betis' attack this season, contributing two goals and two assists in La Liga, along with another goal in the Champions League. His strong understanding with teammates Isco, Antony, Ricardo Riquelme, and Abde Ezzalzouli has been a key factor in the team's performance.

The injury comes after a tough weekend for Real Betis, who suffered a 2-5 defeat against Barcelona. Despite Pellegrini making several changes to rest key players for their upcoming European fixtures, the team struggled to contain a dominant Barcelona side.

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