Joel Ordóñez will be unavailable for Club Brugge until the end of the year. The 22-year-old Ecuadorian defender underwent foot surgery on September 1, sidelining him for longer than initially anticipated.

He sustained the injury during the 2026 World Cup, where he featured for Ecuador in the group stage and played 45 minutes in the round of 16 against Mexico. Upon returning to Bruges, an operation proved necessary. "Looking back, I would have handled some things differently," Ordóñez said. "At that moment, my dream was above everything else: playing a World Cup for my country." He wore a brace and used crutches during his recovery.

Originally, the club hoped to have him back around mid-October, but the surgery has completely altered that timeline. His absence until late December is a significant blow to the manager's plans. Crystal Palace previously abandoned a potential transfer due to his lack of availability.

Defensive options

Ordóñez's absence comes as Club Brugge sit third in the Jupiler Pro League with 18 points from seven matches. Brandon Mechele is a regular at the back, but competition for the other centre-back spot is now limited. Lee Hanbeom replaced Ordóñez in the 3-0 win over Genk last weekend and even scored his first goal for the club. Jorne Spileers and 18-year-old Samba Coulibaly are the other central defenders in the squad.

The club did strengthen this summer with the signing of Jan Virgili for 12 million euros on a contract until 2027. His arrival provides some cover, but the loss of Ordóñez remains keenly felt. The Ecuadorian was a key figure in the play-offs and his physical presence will be missed.

Important fixtures are on the horizon, starting with an away match against RAAL La Louvière on October 10. The opponents currently sit 14th. Fans can check the full schedule and the current standings to follow the campaign. The team must overcome this setback while trailing league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise by just a single point.

Ordóñez's recovery is being closely monitored by the medical staff. His return is now scheduled for the final days of December, just before the winter break. Until then, the squad will have to manage without one of its most promising young defenders.

The report in full is at HLN Voetbal