Maldini fitness worry for AC Milan

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MILAN, Italy -- AC Milan are anxiously waiting on a further examination of their captain Paolo Maldini who faces a lengthy layoff after injuring his left knee.

The 38-year-old veteran defender suffered the injury in last Sunday's 2-1 Serie A defeat to city rivals and league leaders Inter.

The match at the San Siro was Maldini's 600th Serie A appearance.

Media reports suggest Maldini could be looking at a six-week lay-off, which would rule him out of both legs of AC Milan's Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich.

But the club are refusing to say how long he will be out for until a proper assessment of the injury has been carried out.

"Maldini is better and he is in less pain," AC Milan said in a statement.

"We are monitoring his condition, and over the next couple of days we will have a better idea of when he will be back on the pitch."

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