Andrea Pirlo suffers knee ligament damage

Juventus have confirmed that Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo has suffered knee ligament damage.

The 34-year-old, who picked up the injury during his side's 1-0 win over Udinese at the weekend, is expected to miss the rest of the year with the injury.

"Andrea Pirlo, who picked up a knock not long after kick-off in yesterday's fixture between Juventus and Udinese, has undergone medical tests this afternoon," read a club statement.

"The examinations at Turin's Fornaca Clinic have revealed second-grade damage to the medial collateral ligament of his right knee."

Pirlo's Juve contract expires at the end of the season and the playmaker has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.