Van Nistelrooy assures Real Madrid chiefs after surgery

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been ruled out for at least six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Dutchman could be back for Real's decisive clash with Barcelona at the end of this season. It was Van Nistelrooy's decision to go under the knife and he had to convince Real's doctors to release him earlier this week.

Real would have been preferred Van Nistelrooy avoid surgery, but the striker has full confidence in Dr van Dijk, the Holland team doctor, who performed the operation.

Van Dijk, in talks with Real's medical staff, was upbeat over Van Nistelrooy's recovery and was confident he would be available before the end of the season - and also for Holland's Euro2008 campaign.

Van Nistelrooy hasn't played since the February 24 clash with Getafe due to the ankle complaint.