Wednesday 3 December 2014 10:58, UK
Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah will be sidelined for at least three months after undergoing surgery on his left knee, the Serie A giants have announced.
The Ghana international was hurt during his team's 3-2 triumph against Olympiacos on November 4 and damaged the articular cartilage in his joint.
Asamoah will miss next month's African Nations Cup and is expected to be out of action until March 2015.
A statement from Juventus read: "Kwadwo Asamoah underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left knee.
"The surgery was needed in order to repair cartilage lesion.
"The recovery time is estimated at no less than three to four months."
The 25-year-old, who played for Ghana at the World Cup in Brazil, has been a Juve regular since joining the Turin giants in 2012 from Udinese.
Asamoah made 34 league appearances to help Juve win the Serie A title last season.
His absence is a blow for Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, with Asamoah having started in six league games and played in three of the Bianconeri's five Champions League encounters this season.
To complicate matters for Juve, they are also set to be without Romulo for three months.
The Brazilian midfielder is struggling with a sports hernia that has limited him to just three appearances in all competitions so far.
Romulo, who joined the Turin giants this summer on a season-long loan from Hellas Verona, will undergo surgery in Brazil on Wednesday.
A statement from the club read: "An operation will be needed for Romulo, whose adductor-pubic region will be operated on by Dr. Cohen in San Paolo today."
Juve are three points clear of Roma at the top of the Serie A standings and are second in Group A of the Champions League, needing a point from their final fixture to be sure of advancing.