Rossi needs 3rd knee operation, out until 2013

VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) -Villarreal says Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi needs a third operation on his right knee and will be sidelined until 2013.

Rossi tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a game against Real Madrid on Oct. 26, had surgery and tore his ACL again during training on Jan. 13.

Villarreal said Monday that Rossi underwent surgery last Friday, with Dr. Richard Steadman operating in Vail, Colorado. Steadman determined the American-born player will need four months to recover, then requires a second operation with a six-month recovery.

Born to Italian parents, Rossi plays for Italy's national team and is now out contention for the European Championship, which runs from June 8 to July 1 in Poland and Ukraine.