AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo hopes Mario Balotelli can bounce back from his hip surgery.

The striker is on-loan from Liverpool, but has not played since the 1-0 defeat to Genoa, as he's been struggling with a hernia.

“He's realised that this is his last chance," Montolivo explained.

“We're sorry he's out, it's a serious problem and he has to heal first. We miss his shots and even his running, which can change a game, but it's true that we're strong up-front."