Oddo facing further month on the sidelines

AC Milan will be shorn of defender Massimo Oddo for more than a month due to a left-thigh injury, but there is better news for Daniele Bonera, who damaged his left shin during the 2-1 defeat by Juventus on Saturday.

Oddo was struck down on the eve of the game against the Bianconeri and a scan has confirmed damage to a muscle in his left thigh which will keep him out of action for four to six weeks according to a statement from the club. The 34-year-old had played his first game of the season last Monday, providing both assists in the Rossoneri's 2-1 win at SSC Napoli.

As for Bonera, who was carried off on a stretcher after 35 minutes of the Juventus match, his scan revealed no ligament damage. "It was a bad knock on his left shin and only in the next few days will it be possible to determine how long he will be sidelined for," added the Milan statement.

The 29-year-old is expected to miss the UEFA Champions League encounter with Real Madrid CF on Wednesday. Gianluca Zambrotta, Thiago Silva and Massimo Ambrosini are also doubts for the game, with the trio training separately from the rest of the squad as they recover from injuries. Milan are second in Group G with four points from three matches.