AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano will undergo minor heart surgery this week and will be out of action until next year, the club have confirmed.
The Italy international has been at Milan's Policlinico hospital since the weekend after falling ill. Cassano had developed problems with his vision, speech and movement after Saturday's game at Roma, which his team won 3-2.
The 29-year-old underwent tests in recent days to reveal the cause of his illness. A statement from AC Milan read: "AC Milan, according to medical reports of the Policlinico hospital in Milan, have revealed that Antonio Cassano has experienced ischemic cerebral damage."
The statement continued: "The instrumental and neuroradiological examinations required 72 hours for their course and have highlighted the problem in the circumscribed area of the brain that did not result in persistent neurological deficits.
"The cause was identified as the presence of a patent foramen ovale septal heart, detectable only with sophisticated specialised tests.
"The timing of therapy established has allowed a rapid recovery and an improvement of clinical conditions that are good.
"In the coming days the player will undergo a small surgical intervention cardiology (closure of the foramen ovale), the recovery time for return to playing will be better defined after the surgery, but probably will be a few months.
"AC Milan gratefully acknowledges the facilities of the Polyclinic of Milan for what they are doing with great promptness and professionalism."
Source: PA
