Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy have joined several of their AC Milan teammates in being ruled out of their Champions League group-stage opener against Celtic.
Full-backs Mattia de Sciglio and Ignazio Abate were already unavailable for selection by Massimo Allegri due to a knee problem and muscle strain respectively, and Milan's boss has now revealed another double injury blow.
Captain Montolivo and forward El Shaarawy, who, alongside Mario Balotelli, was expected to form the Italian's strike partnership, will also miss Celtic's visit to the San Siro. However, Allegri has insisted that his squad can cope despite their high-profile absentees.
"Montolivo and El Shaarawy will not play on Wednesday," Allegri told reporters.
"We'll make do with who we have and we'll have fresh players ready to play what is a delicate and important game."
The recently reacquired Kaka is another Milan player that will not feature, but the Brazilian has said that he does not want to receive a salary while he is sidelined by a thigh injury.
Joe Fish
