Juan Iturbe Injury: Updates on Roma Star's Status and Return

Roma fans have been devastated by the news that Juan Iturbe faces the rest of the season out after suffering ligament damage to both his right knee and ankle.

Football Italia says that the Argentinian forward's campaign is "likely" to be over after sustaining the injuries during Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Empoli, with the player appearing to catch his foot under his body, causing the two problems.

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Roma now have an extensive injury list, with the additional news that Kevin Strootman is out for the season, per Miles Chambers of Goal.com.

Chambers quotes Roma addressing the club's growing injury concerns, as the team updated the press on Iturbe through a statement:

"

Iturbe underwent tests this morning that revealed a distortive trauma to his right knee, with damage to the lateral collateral ligament.

Iturbe also suffered a strain to his right ankle and potential ligament damage. The player has already started treatment on the injury.

"

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

The forward has featured heavily for the Italian capital club this season, playing 20 times in Serie A and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com.

But the player has not been prolific, having only scored twice and providing just three assists for his team-mates.

BT Sport's James Horncastle commented on the news of Iturbe's injury and the current bad luck of the Giallorossi:

And the player himself spoke about his disappointment, as highlighted by ASRoma.co.uk on social media:

"

Juan Manuel Iturbe on Instagram: "It's tough but that's life, all I can do now is work to come back stronger" #asroma pic.twitter.com/70BCWDmZKF

— asroma.co.uk (@asroma_uk) February 1, 2015"

The news is a blow for Rudi Garcia as he looks to guide his Roma team to the top of Serie A and challenge Juventus' grip on the title.

The club may now be forced into some last-minute shopping in the transfer market after losing a host of first-team starters.

Iturbe is young and will get the opportunity to come back stronger, but with the severity of knee injuries varying, he may find he is on the sideline longer than expected—just like Strootman.