AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso on Wednesday vowed to fight back from an cruciate injury stoppage that could keep him out for most of the season.
''I'll take it as a new challenge, a new battle to win. I've won many battles and I'll win this one too,'' the famously combative Gattuso told local TV Telelombardia before flying to Antwerp to see world-famous knee surgeon Marc Martens.
Because of the swelling on the world champions's right knee, Martens was forced to postpone surgery until Friday, December 19.
It can take up to six months to recover from such an injury but Gattuso said he thought he could cut the expected recovery time as he did when making a remarkably quick comeback from a muscle injury on the eve of the 2006 World Cup.
''I'll take everything with optimism, you have to have that. I always say there are worse things in life, you shouldn't lose heart. While there's life there's hope''.
Martens, who has operated on a string of Milan stars including Ronaldo and Filippo Inzaghi, will reconstruct the anterior crociate ligament in Gattuso's right knee, snapped in Sunday's 1-0 win against Catania.
Despite ripping the ligament in the second minute, the gutsy midfield terrier played on until the end of the match.
According to experts quoted in the Italian press Wednesday, he was only able to do so because his unusual muscle strength held the knee up.
The injury could not come at a worse time for Milan who have been struggling to keep up with league leaders Inter Milan's blistering place and face old rivals Juventus on Sunday.
Milan and Juve are in joint second spot with 30 points, six behind Inter which has 36.
Italy's bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa may not be greatly affected by the loss of Gattuso because his fighting spirit could get him back for their next qualifier in Montenegro on March 28.
The Azzurri top Group Eight with 10 points from four games, 3 ahead of Ireland with 7 from 3.
Bulgaria have 3 from 3, Montenegro 2 from 3, Georgia 2 from 4, and Cyprus 1 from 3.
