Roma robbed of Tommasi

AS Roma midfield player Damiano Tommasi is likely to be missing for six months after sustaining a knee injury in a friendly game in Austria.

Ruptured ligaments
The 30-year-old ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee during his side's 2-0 friendly win against English side Stoke City FC in Irdning on Thursday. He will undergo corrective surgery once the inflammation around his knee has subsided, which is not expected to happen until early next week.

Italian international
Tommasi, who has played 25 times for the Italy national team, scoring two goals, joined Roma from Hellas-Verona FC in 1996 and is currently playing in his eighth consecutive season at the Stadio Olimpico. A title winner in 2000/01, he played 20 Serie A games last season and five more in the UEFA Cup.

European challenge
However, he will no longer be available for his side's UEFA Champions League group stage campaign. Roma won an automatic place in the group stages after finishing as runners-up to AC Milan in Serie A in 2003/04.