Ruud Ruled Out For Two Months

Real Madrid have been rattled by the news that Ruud van Nistelrooy will be out for two months following an impending operation on his troublesome right knee.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to miss a key component of Real Madrid's season after being diagnosed with a possible wound of the external meniscus of the right knee. While that term might not mean much to the less medically inclined, it is the very same injury that struck Van Nistelrooy in 2000, striking him out of action for a year.

The injury first reared its ugly head on March 6, 2000, while Van Nistelrooy was playing for PSV Eindhoven in a friendly against Silkeborg. He did not play again until March 1, 2001, and the injury nearly ruined his move to Manchester United.

After an examination yesterday, club doctors have recommended an operation that will rule the Dutchman out for two months. The forward has already missed a few games this season and, despite making a brief eight-minute appearance against Juventus in midweek, he is set to miss yet more.

Crucially, he will be sidelined for all of 'Black December', a month that includes games against Valencia, Barcelona, Sevilla and Villarreal. In addition, he will miss the last two gams of the Champions League group stage, a competition in which recent defeats to Juventus have left Real Madrid in a precarious position.

Van Nistelrooy has been a key player for Real Madrid over the last two years, scoring 60 goals in all competitions in his time at the Bernabeu. Opportunities to rest the 32-year-old have been few and far between, with Robinho leaving and Javier Saviola out of favour.

Given the importance of the two months ahead, Real Madrid will be hoping that Gonzalo Higuain can continue his excellent form in the Dutchman's absence.