After performing surgery on AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattusso's knee, assistant to Professor Marc Martens labelled the hardman as 'extraordinary'.

"During the operation we had to change the scalpel, as Gattuso has very hard bones. He is extraordinary! This has never happened before," the assistant told Sky Italia television.

"Now he will wear a protective cast for a month and that will give him normal mobility without limits. He'll then walk with crutches for 10 days.

"Another protective device is needed up for another month, but after four months he can start running again."