Milan confirm that Fodè Ballo-Touré will be out of action for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder.
The Senegal international will turn 26 tomorrow and sustained the unpleasant injury during the 3-0 friendly defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
“AC Milan announces that, today, defender Fodè Ballo-Touré underwent the reduction and synthesis of an acromioclavicular dislocation of the right shoulder at the IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant’Ambrogio in Milan,” read a statement.
“The operation, which was performed by Dr. Pozzoni and his CTS team, in the presence of first team doctor Lucio Genesio, was perfectly successful. The estimated time to return to full training is 4 weeks.”
During the same friendly test against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, Milan also lost forward Ante Rebic to a muscular injury and he too is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks.
These are serious blows for the Rossoneri, who already have other injury issues to deal with concerning Mike Maignan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rade Krunic, Divock Origi, Junior Messias and Alessandro Florenzi.
Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez are being rushed back to action after reaching the 2022 World Cup Final with France in Qatar.
If Giroud is not fit to start the January 4 Serie A match against Salernitana, then the only alternative for coach Stefano Pioli will be moving Charles De Ketelaere into the role of a False 9.