Gattuso: "Ordeal is over"

AC Milan's midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso has declared that his "ordeal is over" following his long-awaited return from an eye injury.

The 34-year-old had not played since suffering a paralysed optic nerve during the Rossoneri's opening Serie A fixture against Lazio.

The injury, which left him temporarily blind in his left eye, was by way of an accidental clash with teammate Alessandro Nesta.

Milan's vice-captain came on as a sub in the dying minutes of the 2-0 victory at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

"An ordeal is over," Gattuso told Radio DeeJay. "With all the cortisone shots I got I look like a boxer, but I am so eager to train."

Gattuso has been a mainstay at the San Siro following his transfer from Salernitana in 1999.