Sampdoria striker Maxi Lopez has vowed to make a full recovery after suffering a serious injury in his side's 2-1 defeat to Atalanta last weekend.
Lopez tore the meniscus in his left knee during the match and is facing up to a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan hitman insisted that he is focused on making a quick return to action now that the severity of the injury has been confirmed.
He told the club's official website: "I felt a sharp pain, but I did not realise immediately that it was such a serious injury.
"It is a run of bad luck both for me and Sampdoria and I regret very much leaving Sampdoria at this difficult time.
"I have been shot down but do not cry for me. After surgery, my only wish is to get back to work and come back stronger."
A season-ending injury for Lopez comes at a particularly bad time for Sampdoria, with a run of six successive defeats leaving La Samp just two points outside the relegation zone in Serie A.
Liam Power
