Mario Balotelli Injury: Updates on AC Milan Star's Groin and Return

Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli, currently on loan at AC Milan, has undergone surgery on a groin injury and is expected to return by the end of 2015.

Continue for updates.

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Balotelli Comments on Recovery

Thursday, Nov. 19

“Never mind four weeks," Balotelli said to Sky Sports Italia (via Football Italia). "I want to be back within two weeks.”  

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Balotelli Return Closer Than First Expected

Wednesday, Nov. 18

"The operation was technically successful and the recovery times are of about four weeks, assuming there are no complications," read an official statement from Milan (via Football Italia).

On Monday, Padraig Whelan of Gazzetta World suggested the recovery time would be three months.

Balotelli was advised to go under the knife after "conservative therapy failed to correct his ongoing issues," according to G.B. Olivero in La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Gazzetta World).

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Adriano and Bacca to Lead Line in Balotelli's Absence 

Balotelli's last appearance came against Genoa on Sept. 27.

The 25-year-old moved back to the San Siro on a season-long loan with Milan over the summer, having struggled to fit in at Liverpool. He performed admirably early in the season, netting once in four league appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Manager Sinisa Mihajlovic is likely to lean on summer signings Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca in Balotelli's absence as Milan continue their fight for Champions League football.