Lichsteiner facing long spell on sidelines

Juventus on Friday said Swiss international Lichsteiner would be absent "for 30 days" after undergoing a procedure to rectify cardiac arrhythmia, which was discovered after he suffered breathing problems two weeks ago. 

But a leading heart specialist, Bruno Caru, said in an interview with Il Corriere dello Sport that Lichsteiner could be forced to sit out for several months.

"The law says a player must wait six months before returning to the pitch to guage his reaction to the operation and the disappearance of the [cardiac] arrhythmia has to be evaluated," said Caru.

"There is an eight per cent chance the operation hasn't been successful and that means another operation would be required." 

Lichsteiner is not the first player to be sidelined by the heart condition.

In Serie A most recently, Frenchman Jonathan Biabiany's move from Parma to AC Milan stalled in September 2014 after the condition showed up in tests. 

Biabiany spent several months on the sidelines before recently returning to action with Inter Milan, where he began his professional career in 2007.

Biabiany, speaking Friday, sent a message of support to Lichsteiner. 

"I wish Lichtsteiner all the best, of course. I hope it's nothing serious and that he's back as soon as possible," said the Frenchman.

"At times like these, you just have to be patient."