AC Milan have announced that midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng will be out of action for approximately four weeks after suffering a left thigh strain during his side's 1-0 defeat by FC Internazionale Milano on Sunday.

The 24-year-old could therefore miss the first leg of Milan's UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Arsenal FC on 15 February at San Siro. Boateng, who has scored four goals in 12 Serie A matches this season, and another two in four UEFA Champions League group stage appearances, should be available for the return leg in north London on 6 March.

The Rossoneri, who lie a point behind Juventus in Serie A, recalled 19-year-old midfielder Alexander Merkel from his loan spell with Genoa CFC on Tuesday. The Kazakhstan-born German has impressed in his 13 Serie A sorties with the Grifone this term.