He knows how much we value him

FLORENCE, Italy -- Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi could be back playing in as little as six weeks, much sooner than first thought after he damaged his right knee again. Brian Taylor Jersey . Rossi was thought to have ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee for a third time but tests Monday revealed that the American-born forward has a medial collateral ligament injury. "It seems to be a sprain with damage to the collateral. We got lucky. He could return to the pitch in 6/7 weeks," one of his agents, Federico Pastorello, wrote in Italian on Twitter. Fiorentina said Rossi will soon be seen by Colorado-based Dr. Richard Steadman -- the same surgeon who carried out the second operation -- "in order to correctly evaluate the extent of the injury and the prognosis." Rossi limped off in tears in Sundays 1-0 win over Livorno following a strong tackle from Leandro Rinaudo. The club initially feared Rossi would be out for another six months, although that was later reduced to three with the news that it wasnt another cruciate ligament injury. "We are more optimistic," Rossis other agent, Andrea Pastorello, said as the pair left the hospital to applause from fans. Rossi tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2011, and did so again in training six months later before he had returned to first-team football. The 26-year-old Rossi is the top scorer in Serie A this season with 14 goals in 17 matches and had returned to the Italy team. He is expected to be a key part of Cesare Prandellis World Cup plans. "Because of whats happened, Giuseppe has a great strength of character," Prandelli said. "He knows how much we value him. Ill say now: stay strong Giuseppe, were waiting for you." Jason Kidd Jersey . The England international had both goals in TFCs season-opening 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Spencer Dinwiddie Jersey . On Wednesday, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hit back. In a passionate defence of himself and the London clubs medical staff, the Portuguese coach rebuked the "incompetent people" who have attacked Tottenham for allowing Lloris to continue playing after being briefly knocked unconscious against Everton on Sunday. https://www.cheapnetsonline.com/305g-chris-morris-jersey-nets.html . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland.OKLAHOMA CITY - Injured Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will return Thursday against the Miami Heat, his teammate, Kevin Durant said in a recent interview with Grantlands Bill Simmons. Westbrook has missed 27 games since having surgery on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third procedure in nine months. The three-time NBA All-Star tore the lateral meniscus in hhis right knee during the second game of the playoffs last April. Kyrie Irving Jersey. Westbrook underwent an operation after that injury and had another procedure on Oct. 1 to remove a loose stitch. Oklahoma City went 20-7 this season without him. The Thunder didnt immediately respond to calls and emails regarding Westbrooks status. Oklahoma City (43-12) entered the NBA All-Star break with the leagues best record. ' ' '