Demba Ba broke his leg while playing for Shanghai Shenhua.

Demba Ba's surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow morning and the Senegal striker is confident about making a return to the pitch.

According to Ba's club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua the surgery to mend his broken left leg will be performed at Putuo District People's Hospital by a French surgeon, who was in charge of a similar operation on the 31-year-old ten years ago. After the surgery, Ba will stay in Shanghai for a while and then consider moving to Qatar for further recovery.

Shenhua said that Ba's condition has been stable since Sunday's horrific injury during a Chinese Super League derby against Shanghai SIPG, and he was moved to the VIP ward from the ICU yesterday morning. Ba's ward was filled with gifts and flowers from fans, who waited at the entrance of the hospital building despite not being allowed to see him.

"I really wish I could stand up and say thank you to them face to face," Ba told club officials.

In a phone interview with Radio Monte Carlo, Ba expressed confidence on making a return to competition. "This is a really bad injury but I know I can overcome it," the former Chelsea striker said. "I won't call time on my career, that's for sure."

"There are other players who have returned from similar injuries, like (France midfielder) Hatem Ben Arfa," Ba, who also had spells with West Ham United and Newcastle United, added.

"Something similar happened to me earlier in my career and the treatment options are much better now. I think I'll make a speedier return this time. The season here ends in November and the new one starts in March. I'll do my best to return in time for that season."

Shenhua, angry at Ba's injury, on Monday appealed to the Chinese Football Association, demanding punishment for SIPG defenders Sun Xiang and Cai Huikang for their fouls during Sunday's match at Hongkou Stadium, which Shenhua won 2-1. Ba's clash with Sun in the 63rd minute caused the tibia and fibula fracture in his leg.

The CFA handed a three-match suspension for Cai as well as a 15,000 yuan (US$2,242) fine yesterday. "According to reports from the referee, club officials and video reviews, SIPG player Cai Huikang stepped on the knee of Greenland Shenhua's Giovanni Moreno in the 90+11th minute," a CFA statement said.

It also issued a warning and a 10,000-yuan fine for SIPG midfielder Wang Jiajie for "kicking and breaking the door of the rest room after being sent off".

Wang fouled Moreno in the box in the 93rd and was shown a red card, allowing Shenhua to score the deciding goal from the penalty spot. The CFA's statement did not mention Sun's clash with Ba.

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