Gilardino suffers knee blow

Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury, his club confirmed.

The Italy international collided with Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic during La Viola's 2-0 defeat at the weekend, appearing to twist his left knee.

His club confirmed an injury which, while likely to keep him out until early November, is not as serious as initially feared.

"Fiorentina announced that the diagnostic tests have shown a tibial plateau microfracture associated with a stress on the joint capsule and medial collateral ligament of the knee," the club said.
"The prognosis for return to competition is five to six weeks."