Bertotto suffers injury blow

Udinese Calcio and Italy defender Valerio Bertotto will be out for at least five months after suffering a serious knee injury.

Ligament damage
The 28-year-old was carried off on a stretcher in a Coppa Italia tie on Tuesday. He has since undergone a scan in a Udine hospital which confirmed cruciate ligament damage. The club confirmed the player was unlikely to play again this season.

Maldini deputy
Bertotto, back up to captain and left-back Paolo Maldini in the national team and a likely member of Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for next year's 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, was hurt during the 1-1 quarter-final first-leg match against Parma AC.

Landed badly
Bertotto was not involved in a challenge as he landed badly trying to control the ball and was clearly in pain as he was carried from the field nine minutes from time.

World Cup draw
Italy have been drawn in Group G for next year's finals in Korea/Japan, where they will face Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico.