Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho fears Cristian Chivu will be sidelined "for a long time" after the defender suffered a fractured skull in today's 1-0 triumph at Chievo.
Chivu was taken to hospital immediately following a clash of heads with Chievo captain Sergio Pellissier in the opening moments of the second half.
And Mourinho admits the Romania defender, who has made 20 appearances for Inter this season, is unlikely to be back in action anytime soon.
"He is in hospital," the Nerazzurri boss told Inter Channel. "He has a skull fracture and we hope he can return as soon as possible but I think he will stay off the pitch for a long time.
Chivu was immediately operated on and the medical team are confident the two-hour procedure went well.
"The player suffered a head injury in the right parietal region," said surgeon Sergio Turazzi. "The trauma caused inward fractures of the skull and bleeding, and a haematoma of limited size.
"The operation was necessary mainly because of the presence of this haematoma and consisted of raising the bone fragments which had sunk towards the brain, of draining the haematoma and creating conditions so that the haematoma does not reform.
"The surgery went well.
"The brain walls appeared undamaged, the cranium was reconstructed with the bone of the patient and regained a normal profile.
"Everything went well and so we are quite confident that the patient can heal without any problems.
"It is too early to say when the patient can leave hospital."
And Mourinho admits the Romania defender, who has made 20 appearances for Inter this season, is unlikely to be back in action anytime soon.
"He is in hospital," the Nerazzurri boss told Inter Channel. "He has a skull fracture and we hope he can return as soon as possible but I think he will stay off the pitch for a long time.
Chivu was immediately operated on and the medical team are confident the two-hour procedure went well.
"The player suffered a head injury in the right parietal region," said surgeon Sergio Turazzi. "The trauma caused inward fractures of the skull and bleeding, and a haematoma of limited size.
"The operation was necessary mainly because of the presence of this haematoma and consisted of raising the bone fragments which had sunk towards the brain, of draining the haematoma and creating conditions so that the haematoma does not reform.
"The surgery went well.
"The brain walls appeared undamaged, the cranium was reconstructed with the bone of the patient and regained a normal profile.
"Everything went well and so we are quite confident that the patient can heal without any problems.
"It is too early to say when the patient can leave hospital."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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