AC Milan will be forced to cope without first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan for their Champions League last-16 first leg against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, according to a report.
The France international has been sidelined since picking up a calf injury in Les Bleus' Nations League victory over Austria on September 22, coming off at half time to be replaced by Alphonse Areola.
Maignan was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar, and he has been absent for Milan's last 20 matches across all competitions during his recovery.
There was initially optimism that Maignan's issue would heal in time for him to return against Tottenham, who visit San Siro for the first leg of their last-16 tie next Tuesday.
However, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the 27-year-old will not be ready to line up against Antonio Conte's men, having suffered a setback in his recovery.
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Maignan was only expected to spend a month out with his initial calf problem, but prior to his return at the end of October, the former Lille man was diagnosed with a more severe calf tear.
While the shot-stopper has since stepped up his recovery, he has not been deemed ready for a first-team comeback, and the report adds that he is unlikely to be ready before the end of the month.
However, barring any further setbacks, Maignan will be fine to return for the second leg of Milan's last-16 tie with Tottenham, which takes place in North London on March 8.
The France international was not actually named in Milan's Champions League squad for the knockout stages, but the Rossoneri can include him up to 24 hours before the first leg kicks off.
Maignan was Lille's number one during their Ligue 1 title-winning campaign in the 2020-21 campaign, and the Frenchman moved to Milan in a £13.6m deal two years ago.
Immediately becoming Stefano Pioli's first-choice shot-stopper, Maignan kept 17 clean sheets in 32 Serie A games last season as Milan won the Scudetto, but he has been restricted to just nine appearances this term.
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With Maignan absent, 36-year-old Ciprian Tatarusanu is set to start in goal for Milan against Tottenham, while Alessandro Florenzi, Ismael Bennacer and Fikayo Tomori are also in the treatment room.
However, veteran attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to full training after recovering from knee surgery and is expected to be named in Pioli's squad for Friday's Serie A clash with Torino.
The 41-year-old could therefore be involved when Tottenham pay a visit to San Siro next week, but he will likely be restricted to minutes off the bench as Olivier Giroud leads the line.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have concerns over Pape Sarr (hip) and Lucas Moura (tendon), and their own first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is reportedly set to miss six to eight weeks with a knee injury.
Ben Knapton
