Nesta undergoes operation on knee (Roundup)

Mar 15, 2010, 16:36 GMT

Rome - AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta underwent surgery in Rome Monday to treat a damaged tendon and meniscus in his right knee, the club's web site reported.

The 33-year-old had been sidelined since suffering pain in his knee during a Serie A game against Atalanta on February 28.

Nesta's knee is to be immobilized for two weeks. He is expected to resume training in 30 days, which could allow him to play the last games of the season ending on May 16.

The injury 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.

The defender, however, said he has no interest in joining the world champion Azzurri squad.

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.