Buffon soldiers on for Juve cause

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will continue playing with a damaged meniscus in his left knee until surgery becomes unavoidable, with the Italy No1 hoping to last until the UEFA Champions League group stage concludes in December.

'Important games'
The 31-year-old hopes to hold out until after the crucial Serie A meeting with FC Internazionale Milano on 5 December and Juve's final UEFA Champions League Group A contest against FC Bayern München three days later. "I have a damaged meniscus and I need to undergo surgery but now I can't as there are important games in the Champions League," said the custodian following a 2-2 draw away to the Republic of Ireland which sealed Italy's place in next summer's FIFA World Cup finals. "I will carry on as long as possible."

Century beckons
With Italy already heading for South Africa, Buffon could miss the final Group 8 qualifier against Cyprus on Wednesday and postpone celebrations for his 100th game in the Azzurri shirt. Both Italy and Juve are already without Claudio Marchisio, sidelined for around one month after undergoing surgery on a similar injury to his right knee last week. The Bianconeri sit third in their European section with two points from as many games ahead of back-to-back games against Maccabi Haifa FC.