Real confirm Ruud blow

Van Nistelrooy out for rest of the season

By Francisco Acedo & Lucas Brown   Last updated: 13th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Real confirm Ruud blow

Van Nistelrooy: Knee operation

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Real Madrid have confirmed that Ruud van Nistelrooy will miss the rest of the season after he underwent knee surgery.

Van Nistelrooy flew to America to consult leading surgeon Richard Steadman, who previously operated on him.

The Dutchman stated earlier this week that he was confident of only being sidelined for around two months with the injury but that will not be the case.

Instead the Real Madrid goalscorer, who underwent surgery in 2000 prior to joining Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven, is now out for between six and nine months.

"Following an exploratory arthroscopic operation on Wednesday, it was determined that Ruud van Nistelrooy had a partially torn meniscus in his right knee," Real Madrid stated on their official website.

"Real Madrid's medical staff, Dr. Steadman and the player decided to surgically repair the damaged knee, by which he will miss between six and nine months."

The 32-year-old aggravated the injury back in October against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.

It is now believed that Real will be looking at bringing in striking reinforcements in January.