Image:Giuseppe Rossi: Set to be out until 2013 as he will require further knee surgery in the summer
Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi needs two lots of surgery on his damaged knee and will be out of action for another 10 months.
Italy striker requires more surgery and will miss Euro 2012
Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi needs two lots of surgery on his damaged knee and will be out of action for another 10 months.
The Italy international damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a defeat to Real Madrid in October before aggravating the problem in a training session earlier this month.
The 25-year-old went under the knife in the United States - the country of his birth - last week, with the procedure performed by the famed Colorado-based surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.
But Rossi will also require a second operation in the summer.
"The first operation successfully took place last Friday, April 20," a Villarreal club statement revealed.
"Once he has recovered from this surgery - in an estimated time period of four months - Steadman will perform the corresponding operation on the anterior cruciate ligament, which usually requires around six months of recovery.
"Villarreal offer all their support and wish the best recovery to Giuseppe Rossi."
The news is a blow to Italy coach Cesare Prandelli who had earmarked the former Manchester United forward for a key role with the Azzurri at Euro 2012.
