Milan, Mar 23 (IANS): AC Milan have announced that Italian defender Ignazio Abate will miss the rest of the football season due to an injury in his left eye.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury during a Serie A match against Sassuolo on February 26.

"AC Milan announces that Ignazio Abate, after several medical examinations in Italy, went to Miami for an expert medical opinion in relation to the blunt forced trauma to his left eye," the seven-time European football champions said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The results of the visit are positive and the recovery is proceeding smoothly. Therapies will give Abate the opportunity to resume competitive activity during the summer preparation phase for the 2017/2018 season."

Apart from Abate, midfielder and captain Riccardo Montolivo (knee), wingers Giacomo Bonaventura (thigh) and Suso (thigh) are the other key Milan players who have been out of the game due to injury.

Vincenzo Montella-coached Milan are currently seventh on the Serie A table with 53 points from 29 games.