Napoli's Manolas to miss key run of games with ankle injury

ROME, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Napoli defender Kostas Manolas will be out of action for at least three weeks with an ankle injury, the Serie A club said on Monday.

The Greece centre-back was forced off in the second half of his side's 2-1 league defeat by Genoa on Sunday and tests showed a sprain on his right ankle.

"The player's condition will be assessed in three weeks. The player has already started the rehabilitation process," read a club statement.

Manolas has been a key player for Gennaro Gattuso's side this season, making 19 league appearances.

He will miss a key run of games, including Wednesday's Coppa Italia semi-final, second leg at Atalanta, with the teams level at 0-0, league clashes with Juventus and Atalanta and both legs of Napoli's Europa League last 32 tie against Spaniards Granada.