Juventus sign Zebina off until 2009

Juventus have abandoned hope of fielding French defender Jonathan Zebina in their remaining UEFA Champions League group stage games after the 30-year-old opted for surgery to resolve an achilles tendon problem in his left ankle.

Serious problem
Zebina has not played at all this season because of his ankle injury, and with non-invasive measures having proved ineffective, he has agreed with the club to have an operation on Thursday which will rule him out for a further two to three months. Zebina has not played a competitive game for the Turin side since a 3-3 draw at UC Sampdoria on 17 May in the final round of the 2007/08 Serie A campaign. The Bianconeri top Group H ahead of their Matchday 5 trip to FC Zenit St. Petersburg next week.