Nesta joins Milan's growing injury list

Centre-back Alessandro Nesta could miss AC Milan's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie against Tottenham Hotspur FC after dislocating his left shoulder while Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri also faces an injury headache in midfield.

Nesta, who made five group stage appearances, had to be substituted 23 minutes into Sunday's 2-0 Serie A win against AC Cesena and was immediately taken to hospital. He was diagnosed with a dislocation, rather than a fracture, and Milan's medical staff say the 34-year-old former Italy defender will be sidelined for three to four weeks. The home fixture against Tottenham on 15 February may come too soon and, according to the club, "if necessary he will undergo surgery at the end of the season".

Meanwhile, midfielder Gennaro Gattuso suffered a right thigh strain in the warm-up against Cesena and is expected to be out for at least three weeks. Clarence Seedorf also sat out that game with a similar problem and will be unavailable for a fortnight, while Andrea Pirlo has skipped the Rossoneri's last two matches after the recurrence of a thigh injury. "Pirlo is a crucial player so we want him to recover in the best possible way," said Allegri, who was forced to field Alexander Merkel, 18, and centre-back Thiago Silva in midfield against Cesena.