Peru talisman Farfan out for rest of Copa America with knee injury

Jefferson Farfan is unavailable for the remainder of Peru's Copa America campaign due to a troublesome knee injury, the country's football federation confirmed Monday.

Peru is already through to the tournament quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage and will face either Chile or Uruguay in the opening knockout round. However, the likes of Andre Carrillo and Raul Ruidiaz will now have to step up in the absence of Farfan.

The 34-year-old was struggling with a left knee ailment for some time but remained a crucial member of Ricardo Gareca's squad. The attacker joined Peru this summer after recording eight goals and four assists for Lokomotiv Moscow during the 2018-19 Russian Premier League season, and has been a regular for his country since his international debut in 2003.

Paolo Guerrero should continue to be the focal point of Peru's attack, but Farfan's injury may mean more minutes for Ruidiaz, who has scored six times in 10 league matches for the Seattle Sounders in 2019. Carillo, Christian Cueva, Andy Polo, and Edison Flores have also appeared as part of Gareca's attacking contingent.