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AC Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Nesta faces several weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on Monday.

Milan said in a statement that the central defenders recovery time would be "evaluated in the coming days" but Italian media have said he could be out of action for up to three months.

Six-times European champions Milan have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League but are struggling in Serie A where they are in 15th place.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose team face Lille in their final Group H match on Wednesday, has nine members of his first-team squad out with injuries, including Brazilian keeper Dida and Italy midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini.

On Monday, Milans chief executive Adriano Galliani said the club was considering signing a defender during the January transfer window. As well as Nesta, the experienced pair of Alessandro Costacurta and Giuseppe Favalli have both been ruled out for two months.