Doctor: 'Totti should be back in four months'

Doctors are optimistic Roma captain Francesco Totti will be fit for the start of next season.

Totti underwent surgery on his right knee in the Italian capital on Sunday having sustained a cross ligament injury during his team’s 1-1 draw against Livorno on Saturday.

“The feeling is good and the player could have a speedy recovery to play next season in the domestic league and in the Champions League,” said doctor Pier Paolo Mariani, who carried out the procedure.

“The recovery time has been set at four months.”

The 2008-09 Serie A season will kick off on August 31 by which time Roma will expect to have Totti back in action.

Mariani previously treated Totti in February 2006 when the player suffered a fracture of his left fibula and ligament damage.

The former Italy international went under the knife and made an impressive recovery to take part in the Azzurri’s triumphant 2006 World Cup campaign.

“Totti has a lot of willingness and he already proved it two years ago,” added Mariani.

“I think he will continue to prove this.”

Club doctor Mario Brozzi is equally optimistic Totti will make a full recovery.

“We have a certain experience with this type of rehabilitation,” he said. “The recovery period is usually four months and he will return as he was before.

“The most important things after this kind of surgery are to have confidence in the medical team and for the player to have a willingness to fully recover,” he said.

“Totti has proved that already and I know we will see him back in action in the near future.”

Totti’s absence is a further blow for coach Luciano Spalletti, with the 31-year-old currently the club’s top scorer this campaign with 14 goals.

Roma’s Scudetto ambitions suffered a setback this weekend. The Eternal City giants are second in the standings, six points behind Serie A leaders Internazionale with four games remaining.

The Giallorossi could still finish the season with silverware, however, as they look to retain the Coppa Italia next month.