Mario Balotelli is likely to be out for three months after it was reported in Italy that he is to have a hernia operation in the next few days.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the on-loan Liverpool striker saw a consultant in Copenhagen who diagnosed an inguinal hernia which now requires surgery.
Balotelli, 25, has not played for Milan since a defeat by Genoa on 27 September after being troubled by the groin problem and is not now likely to compete for a place in the side until mid-February.
It makes him an unlikely candidate for the Italy squad for Euro 2016 and decreases his chances of becoming a permanent signing for Milan in the summer.
Balotelli, who had originally moved to Liverpool from Milan for £16m and is still having part of his salary paid for by Liverpool, had an unhappy season on Merseyside, scoring just four times in 28 appearances.
