Roma midfielder Strootman to have more knee surgery

MILAN (AP) - Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman reassured fans his latest injury is nothing serious after it was revealed he will undergo more surgery on his left knee, which was operated on last year.

The Serie A club announced on Thursday that Strootman would have surgery the following day, and it was reported he would be sidelined for at least a month, possibly longer if there is further damage to the cruciate ligament.

"There's a lot of speculation in the media about me and I would like to explain to all the fans what the real problem is," Strootman wrote on Twitter. "In the match against Fiorentina I got a knock on my left knee. It's bruised and therefore I should rest my knee for a couple of weeks.

"This gives me the opportunity to remove some scar tissue which has bothered me a bit after the last surgery and this will help me further in getting back to my old level. It's nothing serious and I will be back on the pitch as soon as possible."

The Netherlands international returned to action in November after undergoing surgery in March, and began returning to top form.

"Yesterday, Kevin Strootman underwent further diagnostic procedures with professors Van Dijk and Kerkhoffs, who previously operated on him," a Roma statement said. "The examination revealed a mass of fibrous tissue (known as Cyclops Syndrome), which it is advised should be removed.

"The player is due to undergo arthroscopic surgery in Amsterdam tomorrow, during which the ligament will also be assessed."