AC Milan have announced that Theo Hernandez is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury in training.
The Brazilian defender has been out since late November with a broken bone in his ankle, but it appears he will not be fit to return before the end of the campaign.
Hernandez's absence could be a blow for the Rossoneri, who are currently seventh in Serie A and looking to secure European football next season.
However, manager Stefano Pioli is optimistic about Hernandez's recovery, saying that he will need time to fully recover from his injury.
"He needs time," Pioli told reporters on Friday. "He needs to rest and recover. He has to take care of himself."
While Hernandez may be out for the remainder of the season,Campeonato Brasileiro Action there are still some positive developments for the club.
Pioli said that centre-back Simon Kjaer has made progress in his recovery from a knee injury and could potentially make his return soon.
Meanwhile, midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has also returned to full training following a long-term injury, which means that the team should have more depth in their squad heading into the second half of the season.
Overall, while the news of Hernandez's injury is disappointing, there are still reasons for optimism for the Rossoneri as they look to finish the season strongly and secure their place in Europe.