Soccer-Switzerland's Margairaz ruled out of Euro 2008

MADRID Feb 28 (Reuters) - Osasuna's Switzerland midfielder Xavier Margairaz is likely to be out for up to eight months after suffering a serious knee injury in a training match, the Primera Liga club's head of medical services said on Thursday.

The 24-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament, a lateral ligament and the meniscus in his right knee on Wednesday ruling him out of Euro 2008, which the Swiss are co-hosting with Austria in June.

"It is one of the injuries footballers fear most," Patxi Cripriain told the club's Web site (www.osasuna.es).

"Although I advised him to have the surgery here he has decided to have it back in Switzerland. His state of mind is important as well.

"He will probably have the operation next week. I can't give a definite recovery period until after the surgery, but it will be a long time. Between seven and eight months."

(Reporting by Mark Elkington, editing by Miles Evans)