By DAN KARELL
Giuseppe Rossi will have to go under the knife again.
The American-born forward is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after an exam by Dr. Andrew Williams in London revealed damage in the knee. A timetable for Rossi’s return has not been announced.
This is the latest in a string of knee injuries that Rossi has suffered since Oct. 26, 2011, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while with Villarreal in a loss to Real Madrid. The following April, Rossi re-tore the ACL in training, putting him out for another extended period.
Rossi next moved to Fiorentina in Jan. 2013 and made his return on the final day of the 2012/2013 season. The 27-year-old began the 2013/2014 Serie A season on fire, scoring 14 goals, but missed most of the remainder of the season with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Rossi was left off the final Italy squad at the World Cup, with reports stating he was lacking in fitness. However, Rossi disputed that, and claimed he was fully fit and ready to go.
Rossi featured for Fiorentina during the 2014/2015 preseason, but it seems that he’s set for another extended period on the sidelines.
Here are some more notes from around the world:
INIESTA RULED OUT OF SPAIN SQUAD
The Spanish National Team will be without one of their top players for their first matches since the World Cup.
Andres Iniesta has withdrawn from the Spain squad with a sore left knee, leaving La Furia Roja with a 22-player squad to face France in a friendly match on Thursday and Macedonia in a Euro 2016 qualifier next Monday.
Iniesta missed out on Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal with the knee injury, and after consultation with the Spanish National Team doctors, Iniesta decided rest would be more important.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke could start in Iniesta’s place, or youngsters Isco and Ander Iturraspe.
ÖZIL DOUBTFUL TO FEATURE FOR GERMANY
The German National Team could be without another World Cup starter for their rematch against Argentina on Wednesday.
Mesut Özil is reportedly suffering from an ankle injury suffered in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City and won’t arrive in Germany’s training camp until Tuesday, putting his chances of playing in Wednesday’s friendly into doubt. However, according to team manager Oliver Bierhoff, Özil is expected to be ready to go on Sunday, when Germany face Scotland in a Euro 2016 qualification match.
“There’s work being done so he can play against Scotland,” Bierhoff said at a press conference on Monday.
QUICK KICKS
FIFA will begin discussions on potentially moving the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at their next FIFA Congress, beginning on Sept. 8 in Zurich, Switzerland. (REPORT)
Robinho has been recalled to the Brazilian National Team in place of the injured Hulk. (REPORT)
Legia Warsaw have been charged by UEFA for a banner against the organization during their last match. (REPORT)
FC Zenit in Russia have signed Bart Simpson as part of a partnership with 20th Century Fox. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? What do you think of Rossi’s latest injury? How much do you expect Spain to miss Iniesta? Do you see Ozil playing for Germany against Argentina?
Share your thoughts below.