SANTIAGO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chile midfielder Cesar Perez faces up to a year on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, the country's football federation said on Sunday.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury while training with the national team ahead of its final World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Santiago on Tuesday.

"The diagnosis was confirmed by an MRI scan," read a statement on the federation's website.

"The coaching staff, officials and the entire squad deeply regret the news and wish him much strength and success in his recovery," it added.

Perez, who plays for Argentine club Defensa y Justicia, is considered one of the future mainstays of a Chile side in transition.

The Roja is bottom of the 10-team South American qualifying group and out of the running for next year's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. ■