AC Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Dida reactsAC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will be out of action for five to six months following surgery on his cruciate knee ligament, his club has revealed.

Abbiati injured his knee two weeks ago in Milan's 5-1 victory at Siena, after which he was replaced by Brazilian Dida.

Milan said on their official website that the operation had been a complete success, but not only is Abbiati's season over, he will also miss the beginning of the next campaign.

In Dida, though, Milan have a player who was their first-choice goalkeeper for over five seasons.

He had not played in Serie A this season until Abbiati's injury, but had kept goal in all Milan's UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia matches.