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Pato injury problems continue

Image: Alexandre Pato: Has been ruled out for the season as concerns continue over his long-term fitness

AC Milan's Brazilian striker Pato is out for the rest of the season, with club doctor Jean-Pierre Meerssman unsure where to turn to next.

Milan's Brazilian striker ruled out indefinitely

AC Milan's Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato is out for the rest of the season, with club doctor Jean-Pierre Meerssman unsure where to turn to next. The 22-year-old has suffered a staggering 14 injuries in the past two years, restricting him to just 11 league games this season, in which he has scored a solitary goal. He made an aborted attempted comeback in Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona, joining the action from the bench after 70 minutes before being replaced himself just 13 minutes later. The injuries have been principally to the player's thigh muscles, but also include ankle and groin problems and Meerssman has ruled out a short-term fix.

Not cured

"Ten days, or 20 or 30 does little to change where we are now," Meerssman told Gazzetta dello sport. "And when he has recovered we'll be back to square one again. Pato was declared clinically recovered 13 times but he's obviously not cured." Milan have tried hard to find a solution but the club has been thwarted at every turn. Meerssman added: "He's been all over the place from Germany to the United States, lots of doctors and therapists have examined and treated him, I don't know who to turn to next." Pato was close to a move to Paris Saint Germain in the January transfer window but the move was blocked by owner Silvio Berlusconi.

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