Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will undergo knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six months.
The Italy forward hurt his right knee during Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Real Madrid and MRI scans taken Thursday showed he needs immediate surgery.
Villarreal has just one win from 12 games in all competitions this season and is already without Brazil striker Nilmar, who is recovering from knee surgery.
Rossi had scored three goals this season for Villarreal, which is 18th in the relegation zone and winless in the Champions League after three games.
The American-born Rossi has scored six goals in 27 appearances for the Italian national team.
His agent Federico Pastorello is confident he will recover in time for next year's European Championship.
''I can tell the fans that he is calm and very driven to quickly recover,'' Pastorello told Italian station Radio Sportiva. ''His priority is Euro 2012, he wants to do it and he will do it.
''We've spoken several times. He's always been a very calm lad, he knows how to deal with difficult situation. It's a significant injury, but I repeat, he will know how to respond the best.''
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has reassured the 24-year-old that he will retain his place in the Azzurri squad.
''The injury that will keep Giuseppe Rossi out of action for six months is awful news for him, but also for us,'' Prandelli told Sky Italia television. ''But we'll wait for him.
''I tried to call him but only got his voicemail. However, he has to focus calmly only on getting better. As soon as he starts playing, we'll be waiting for him.''
