Upbeat Nesta laid low at Milan

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta is expected to be unavailable for the remainder of the season after rupturing a tendon in his right knee in the run-up to Wednesday's 4-0 UEFA Champions League first knockout round loss against Manchester United FC.

Nesta pulled out of the game at Old Trafford after complaining of pain in his knee, with an MRI scan on Friday revealing the damage to the joint. Nesta, who turns 34 next Friday, is unlikely to play again until the 2010/11 campaign. "We will decide whether it's better to have surgery or not in the next few days," said the former S.S. Lazio and Italy centre-back. "I don't know if I'll miss the rest of the season. Even if I undergo surgery I may return before the end."

The absence of Nesta further limits coach Leonardo's options in the middle of his defence, with Kakha Kaladze having recently been left out of the squad. Better news for the Brazilian has come from his compatriot Pato, with the striker due back in full training next week after recovering from a thigh problem. Milan are out of the UEFA Champions League, but lie second in Serie A, four points adrift of FC Internazionale Milano.