Rossi facing six-month injury lay-off

Villarreal have confirmed forward Giuseppe Rossi will be out for six months after suffering cruciate ligament damage in last night's 3-0 defeat by Real Madrid. The Italian international was replaced after 60 minutes of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu and scans today have revealed the extent of the injury. A statement on Villarreal's official website read: "Worst fears have been confirmed. Villarreal's Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi seriously injured in his right knee in the match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and is out for six months." The club said the 24-year-old was set to undergo surgery on his his anterior cruciate ligament tonight. And, the news of the severity of the injury is a major blow to the Yellow Submarine, who have endured a dreadful start to the new La Liga campaign. Juan Carlos Garrido's side, who have become UEFA Champions League regulars, lie in the relegation zone with only seven points from their opening nine matches. Rossi is perhaps the player they can least afford to be without. The former Manchester United frontman scored 32 goals in all competitions last season and his form saw him linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer. Villarreal are now seriously short of options in attack as their other senior striker Nilmar is also out with a knee injury for at least another month.