Pato sidelined for six weeks
Reuters - Friday 12 November 2010, 17:22
MILAN/RIO DE JANEIRO - AC Milan striker
Alexandre Pato was ruled out for six weeks with a thigh muscle
injury on Friday and has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad to
face Argentina in a friendly in Qatar next week.
Pato suffered the latest in a series of problems in Milan's
3-1 win over Palermo on Wednesday.
"A recovery time of around six weeks is estimated," a Milan
statement said.
His injury comes as a fresh blow to the Serie A leaders, who
already lost fellow striker Filippo Inzaghi for the season after
the 37-year-old suffered knee ligament damage on Wednesday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now Milan's only out-and-out frontman
with Robinho, Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf offering options
as a second striker.
Pato, 21, is top scorer for the new Brazil side coached by
Mano Menezes with a goal in each of the team's three friendly
wins against the United States, Iran and Ukraine since August.
The Brazilian federation (CBF) said a replacement would not
be called up for the friendly next Wednesday.
Menezes still has Andre, Neymar, Robinho and the recalled
Ronaldinho as forwards.