AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta insists he could be playing again by the end of the month.

"I will be back in Italy on January 14 and the day after that I will be back at Milanello for physical preparations," Nesta, who is struggling with a back injury, told Il Giornale.

"I know everything that is happening in Italy as I keep in touch and know exactly what is written.

"I know that you journalists have been predicting the worst and have said that I will never recover physically.

"However, the work I have done has paid off. I worked hard during these weeks and I am ready to return to Italy. I will not end my career yet."