Knee surgery ends Van Nistelrooy's season

Ruud van Nistelrooy's season is over after it was announced the Real Madrid CF striker is to undergo an operation on a right knee injury.

Knee complications
The 32-year-old travelled to the United States earlier in the week and underwent exploratory surgery under the guise of Dr Richard Steadman, who previously operated on the former Dutch international in 2000 prior to his move to Manchester United FC from PSV Eindhoven. Along with damaged cartilage, a cyst on the players' cruciate ligament was discovered, leaving club doctors in no doubt that the player required an operation.

Injury list
Despite being troubled by the problem all season, Van Nistelrooy made six Liga appearances for Madrid, scoring four times as well as firing in another three goals in four UEFA Champions League games. His recovery period is likely to be between six and nine months. The Spanish champions already have Arjen Robben and Mahamadou Diarra in the treatment room due to calf and thigh problems, while Rubén de la Red is still recovering after fainting on the pitch on 30 October. A win at FC BATE Borisov on 25 November could ensure Madrid's progress from UEFA Champions League Group H.