MILAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo would be sidelined for six weeks after suffering knee ligament damage, the Serie A leaders announced on Saturday.

The 31-year-old had been due to return to the Milan side to face Parma on Saturday after three weeks out with a hamstring injury, but unfortunately he picked up the new problem in training on Friday.

A Milan statement read: "Medical tests carried out yesterday confirmed that midfielder Andrea Pirlo had suffered a second grade strain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"The player's expected recovery time is six weeks."

Pirlo was making a return from a thigh injury when he picked up the hamstring problem against Bari.

He is set to miss both legs of his side's Champions League last-16 tie against Tottenham.