Villarreal suffer Rossi blow

Villarreal have confirmed that Giuseppe Rossi will be sidelined for six months after sustaining a serious knee injury.

The Italy international came off in the second half of his side’s 3-0 La Liga defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Tests have shown that the 24-year-old has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, with an estimated recovery time of six months.

The news comes as a heavy blow to Villarreal, who are struggling in the league with just seven points from nine games.

Fellow striker Nilmar has already been out of action for a month, also with a knee injury, and it will take the Brazilian at least another four weeks to get back to full fitness.