AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez is set for spell on the sidelines after the Italian club confirmed he is out with a knee injury.
The 34-year-old has made eight Serie A starts for the Rossoneri this season despite struggling with patellar tendonitis in his left knee.
A statement from AC Milan read: "For the past few months, the Spanish goalkeeper has been struggling with patellar tendonitis in the left knee which, up until this point, has been treated with physiotherapy while continuing with training and matches.
"Following a consultation, the club's medical staff have agreed that Diego Lopez will have to take some time out to follow a specific treatment plan."
Lopez has not featured for the Rossoneri since a 1-1 draw at Torino on Oct. 17 with Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic opting to start for the past three games with 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
"During this spell, I've done everything possible to be at my best, sacrificing every day, despite the pain, to be available to the coach," Lopez said on the club's official website. "Unfortunately the pain persists, so I have stop and pursue a specific recovery plan.
"This is the only option to resolve the problem.
"I would like to clarify that this decision was made by mutual agreement with the club, and of course it has nothing to do with the recent sporting situation, it's a decision of a strictly medical nature.
"I'll continue giving my all to come back soon and as strong as ever."
Milan have won their last three league games to climb to sixth in Serie A and host Atalanta on Saturday.