You are in > manchester.com  > News > Knee injury ends Van Nistelrooy's season

General Sport

Knee injury ends Van Nistelrooy's season

13/11/2008

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been ruled out for the rest of the 2008/09 season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

The Dutch international flew to the United States to see renowned knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman after suffering damage to his right knee joint.

And it was determined that the player would require an operation to repair the problem, which was caused by partially torn cartilage.

A statement from the Spanish club today reads: "Following an exploratory arthroscopic operation on Wednesday, it was determined that Ruud van Nistelrooy had a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.

"Real Madrid's medical staff, Dr Steadman and the player decided to surgically repair the damaged knee, meaning he will miss between six and nine months."

Van Nistelrooy is unlikely to play again before next summer, meaning he will be out for the entire Primera Liga season in Spain.

The injury means the striker, who has 33 goals in his 64 international appearances, is also ruled out of the Netherlands' 2010 World Cup qualifier against Scotland at the end of March next year.