Football
9y

Kevin Strootman faces longer layoff as further injury found in knee

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has said he will be out of action for "much longer" than anticipated after an operation to remove scar tissue from his knee revealed further damage.

Netherlands international Strootman, 24, suffered a serious knee injury on March 9 last year, forcing him to miss the 2014 World Cup.

The midfielder returned to action for the Giallorossi during their 3-0 victory over Torino on Nov. 9, but was substituted after 34 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on Jan. 25 after taking a knock to the same knee that was operated on last year.

Strootman returned to his native Netherlands for a procedure to deal with Cyclops Syndrome, a condition that can cause pain and swelling and is associated with people who have undergone cruciate ligament surgery.

The player posted a series of messages on his Twitter account on Friday in which he said that although that part of the operation was a success, more damage was found to have been caused during the Viola match.

The news will come as a blow not only to Roma fans but also to Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, a long-time admirer of the midfielder who has been heavily linked with bringing him to Old Trafford.

Strootman has been limited to just six league appearances this season.

His club, coached by Rudi Garcia, are second in the table, seven points adrift of league leaders Juventus.

The Giallorossi have reached the Coppa Italia quarter-finals and play Feyenoord in the last 32 of the Europa League next month.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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