Nesta faces four weeks out
Reuters - Monday 24 January 2011, 16:23
MILAN - AC Milan centre-back Alessandro
Nesta could miss next month's Champions League last-16 first leg
at home to Tottenham Hotspur after doctors said on Monday he
might be out for four weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
The Serie A leaders, who nervously beat Cesena 2-0 on Sunday
with a makeshift team to stay four points clear, have suddenly
been struck by a raft of injuries with Gennaro Gattuso and
Clarence Seedorf also ruled out for around three weeks.
The trio join midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo
and full back Gianluca Zambrotta already on the sidelines ahead
of the Spurs game on February 15.
"In agreement with the player, it has been decided to try an
aggressive recovery programme to allow Nesta's return to action
in around three-four weeks," a club statement said.
"Surgery will be undertaken, if necessary, at the end of the
season."
Nesta, who had a serious back problem two years ago which
almost ended his career, suffered the injury against Cesena
while Gattuso pulled up in the warm-up with a thigh problem.
Seedorf has a similar injury to Gattuso.
Milan were forced to play youngster Alexander Merkel in
midfield alongside usual centre back Thiago Silva on Sunday but
did sign Ajax utility player Urby Emanuelson over the weekend.
Antonio Cassano also arrived at the start of the transfer
window from Sampdoria, replacing the departed Ronaldinho, while
media reports say the Rossoneri still want Genoa's Italy left-back Domenico Criscito.