Mar 15, 2010, 15:20 GMT
Rome - AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta underwent knee surgery in Rome Monday to treat a damaged tendon, the ANSA news agency reported.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined since suffering pain in his right knee during a Serie A game against Atalanta on February 28.
It is unlikely that the experienced central defender will be available for Milan in the 10 remaining games of the season.
The injury also ruled him out of a possible call from Italian national team selector Marcello Lippi for the 2010 World Cup beginning on June 11 in South Africa.
Nesta's absence is bad news for the Devils despite having moved within one point of leaders Inter Milan at the weekend.
English midfielder David Beckham, 34, is also all but certain to be out for the remainder of the season after damaging his left Achilles tendon during a league game on Sunday.
Beckham was to undergo surgery on Monday or Tuesday in a Finnish clinic.
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