by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Hannover 96 wing prospect Sal Zizzo is set for surgery and at least six months on the sideline after suffering both an ACL and MCL tear during Monday's afternoon practice session.

The California native will be forced to go under the knife at least once in the near future, but the initial operation has not been scheduled as of yet.

"It happened yesterday in the afternoon," Reds press officer Oliver Rickhof told Soccer365 on Tuesday morning.

"There are two problems with the knee. Because of that, it will take maybe six to nine months for him to return. This is about the worst injury for a sportsman."
 
While professional athletes are now often able to recover from a major anterior cruciate ligament setback in about six months, the addition of a medial collateral ligament rupture has the club fearing that Zizzo won't be back until that start of next season's preseason camp.

The 22-year old California native has had a rough run of health luck, with a heart condition found during his medical exam scuppering a summer loan move to Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Zizzo made one substitute appearance this season, and has worked seven Bundesliga contests in total since arriving at Hannover in July of 2007.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

Official USMNT Jerseys at WSS!