MADRID – Spain's Pau Gasol has had surgery on a damaged finger ligament in his left hand and will be out of action for 20 days, the Spanish basketball federation (FEB) said on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward picked up the injury in training with the Spanish team in Cadiz on Monday. World champions Spain are preparing for the European championships which start in Poland on September 7.

"The player will have the stitches removed in 12 to 14 days and will have a splint on the finger for 20 days," the FEB said in a statement on its website (www.feb.es).

"After these 20 days he will be able to return to training with the ball again, wearing the appropriate protection."