AC Milan midfielder Alexander Merkel will be out of action for at least two months with a knee injury, the club have confirmed.

Merkel was hurt in training last week and tests done on the 19-year-old revealed ligament damage on his right knee.

A statement from AC Milan read:

“If there are no complications, Merkel will be available to play in eight weeks.”

Merkel’s injury a setback for Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri. The Germany Under-20 player was brought back from Genoa earlier this month due to the Rossoneri’s injury problems.

Milan are already without midfielders Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso and Alberto Aquilani due to injury and it will be interesting to see if Milan go into the transfer market as they try and chase down Juventus in the league.

Milan are also in the last sixteen of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, and a season that promised so much a month ago is threatening to end up in disappointment due to injuries.