Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman ruled out for at least two months

The player was hopeful of starting the season fresh after a knee injury kept him sidelined for the entire of last season.

Today the player announced on Twitter that he will need further surgery and will not be back for some months at least.

“There has been a lot of speculation in the media about my rehabilitation,” he said.

“Unfortunately due to a lack of power in my left leg I cannot compete at the highest level right now.

“The last few weeks we have consulted many top professors all over the [world], and they and the medical staff of AS Roma have advised me to reconstruct the existing acl [anterior cruciate ligament] into another position in order for me to have less problems with my knee in the future and to regain my power again.

“I will undergo surgery this morning.

“I am hugely disappointed that I cannot contribute to AS Roma and the Dutch National Team for the next few months, but I will do everything to get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Strootman joined the Italian giants in 2013 fom Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

His doctor, Pier Paolo Mariani, was unable give an exact timescale on the injury.

“Strootman will play again,” he said. “Two months from now we'll learn whether the surgery was successful.

“We cannot discuss recovery times. The lad had an extremely tough month, but today he was chilled.

“Up to two-three days ago he looked like he'd been run over by a train, but this morning he was smiling and peaceful.”