Heart surgery for Cassano

Antonio Cassano is expected to be out for a few months (GETTY IMAGES)

The Italy and Milan forward Antonio Cassano needs heart surgery and will be out for a "few months" after falling ill at the weekend, the Italian champions said yesterday.

"The player will undergo a small surgical cardiological intervention in the coming days and the recovery time will be better defined after the surgery, but it will probably be a few months," a club statement said. The former Real Madrid striker fell ill after returning by air from Rome after Saturday's 3-2 win over Roma.