Specialist to examine Del Piero

November 12, 1998
SportsServer

ROME - Injured Juventus and Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero is to be examined in Lyon by a French surgeon, the club said on Thursday.

Dr. Pierre Chambat, a specialist sports surgeon who has treated Lazio striker Christian Vieri and Italian Olympic gold medalist skier Deborah Compagnoni, will tell the Turin club if Del Piero needs surgery following the knee injury sustained in last Sunday's draw with Udinese.

Diagnosis issued by the club on Monday suggested that Del Piero will be out for five months.

With Del Piero effectively out for the rest of the season, Juventus are expected to sign a replacement on or after Jan. 4, 1999 -- the date when Serie A clubs are allowed to sign new players.

The loss of Del Piero is complicated by the fact that reserve striker Nicola Amoruso is currently injured while Uruguyan Daniel Fonseca, another reserve, is consistently injury prone.

Juventus directors are due to meet on Saturday to give the go-ahead for the purchase of at least one, if not two, strikers.
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