Real´s Van Nistelrooy ´faces ankle op´

Real Madrid's talismanic Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy could be sidelined for two to three months if he undergoes surgery on an injured ankle, according to reports.

Van Nistelrooy was the top scorer in the Spanish league last season so any prolonged absence would prove a huge setback for Real, whose limitations in attack have been exposed of late.

The Madrid giants sit third in La Liga two points adrift of on-form arch rivals Barcelona, but were resoundingly beat 2-0 by Juventus in the Champions League in midweek.

Real have confirmed that Van Nistelrooy, who is out of Saturday's league match against Malaga, is suffering from the same external meniscus injury on his right ankle which prompted him to go under the knife in 2000.

The club said the Dutchman is set to consult American doctor Richard Steadman, who carried out that operation eight years ago. According to Spanish sports dailies AS and Marca Saturday, a second operation is imminent.

AS added that Real are already looking into the possibility of signing VfB Stuttgart's German international striker Mario Gomez, 23, as a replacement.