AC Milan´s Nesta has back op

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta must “rest completely” for a fortnight after having back surgery, Ansa news agency reported.

The 32-year-old, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning side, has been unable to play all season having endured months of chronic back problems.

He had the surgery on his spinal column at the exclusive La Madonnina clinic in Milan and will have to have two weeks of complete rest followed by a spell of reeducation, Ansa said.

Nesta, who recently spent several weeks in Florida hoping to stave off the need to go under the knife, had been hoping to return to action soon having not played for almost eight months.

He had briefly returned to training until having to stop last week.