AC Milan have confirmed defender Alessandro Nesta will have an operation on his knee on Monday.

The 33-year-old sustained the injury in last weekend's goalless draw at Roma and missed Wednesday's Champions League defeat at Manchester United.

Milan confirmed the news in a statement on their website, which simply read: "Alessandro Nesta will undergo an operation on Monday, March 15."

Nesta said earlier in the week he hoped to return before the end of the season even if an operation was necessary.

He said: "Is my season over? I don't know.

"Even if I were to undergo surgery I could still come back before the end of the campaign."