Inter Milan defender Nelson Rivas has revealed that the knee injury he had suffered was more serious than he had thought.

The Colombian was stretchered off in last week’s encounter against Bologna, after a 50-50 challenge with striker Marco Di Vaio.

According to the doctors at the club, Rivas has suffered from a cruciate ligament injury. He has already undergone surgery.

The 25-year-old will need four months to recover, and have to rest for two weeks before undergoing his rehabilitation programme.

Rivas is disappointed with the injury, describing it as a ‘setback’ in his career.

“It was a very painful injury,” he told the official Inter website. “During a tackle my knee turned and the ligament snapped.

“These are things that happen in football, but it is a real shame, because this setback came at a time when I was feeling great and really wanted to play.”