Milan braced for news on injury to Abbiati

AC Milan fear goalkeeper Christian Abbiati could be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Abbiati was substituted early in the first-half of his team's 5-1 Serie A victory at Siena with a knee injury.

The Italian goalkeeper will undergo tests this week to confirm the extent of the problem, but it is thought Abbiati has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

If confirmed, the 31-year-old will be out of action for six months.

The Rossoneri, who are already without injured duo Gennaro Gattuso and Kakha Kaladze for the rest of the campaign, have been left reeling by another serious injury.

"The series of injuries we have had this season has been incredible," said captain Paolo Maldini. "I am saddened for a player like Christian, who has shown his value.

"At the begining we thought it was just a knock but then he felt pain in his knee. It's a real shame because Abbiati has had a great campaign so far."

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani can only look at the positives.

"Fortunately, we have a luxury reserve goalkeeper in Dida," he said. "With Dida we have won so much."

The Rossoneri travel to the San Paolo to meet Napoli next weekend, sitting in third place with an eight-point advantage over fourth-placed Genoa.