Injured Rossi out of Euro 2012

Rome, April 14 (IANS) Giuseppe Rossi's hopes to be fit in time for Euro 2012 football tournament were dashed as the Villarreal man again injured his right knee.

The Italian international, who had established himself as a key member of Cesare Prandelli's team during qualifying for next summer's tournament, was on course to make a return to the field in the next few weeks, Xinhua reported.

Rossi was in the final stages of recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered in October, having recently returned to training.

However, a statement released in Villarreal's website Friday said that he has re-injured the joint, again tearing the same ligament.

The 25-year-old, who was heavily linked with a transfer this summer, will now likely face surgery again and is set to miss another six months of action.