05.09.2014 22:10 h

Fiorentina's Rossi faces 5 more months out

Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi

Injury-prone Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi is expected to be out for another five months, his Serie A club said Friday.

The American-born 27-year-old missed the World Cup because he only returned from a problem with his right knee late in the season and then-Italy coach Cesare Prandelli did not consider him fit enough to go to Brazil.

The former Manchester United player underwent surgery in Colorado last Friday to try to resolve the long-standing problem.

Rossi ruptured his knee ligaments in 2011 and 2012 -- missing almost two entire years of his career -- and has suffered problems ever since.

Fiorentina said his knee was stable but insisted he needs a long period of rehabilitation.

On September 1 the Tuscans had suggested he would be out for only a month and a half.

Rossi, who also played for Villarreal and Parma, has scored seven goals in 30 appearances for Italy.