Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is back on the treatment table after making a brief return from injury.
Chiellini, 31, missed the whole of March due to calf trouble, but was fit enough to start for Juve in Saturday's 1-0 Serie A victory over Empoli.
The Italy international lasted only 53 minutes before being withdrawn for Juan Cuadrado, though, and subsequent tests have revealed a thigh injury that will rule him out of action for "approximately 20 days."
MEDICAL UPDATE: @chiellini out of action for approximately 20 days. Read more: https://t.co/rXYHCEd9D5 pic.twitter.com/77OnD5PaLT
- JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 4, 2016
A statement published on Juventus' official website on Monday afternoon said Chiellini had damaged the adductor muscle in his right leg.
"Having exited the field of play during the second half of Juventus' win over Empoli on Saturday evening, Giorgio Chiellini underwent tests this afternoon, which revealed a first-grade tear in the adductor longus muscle in his right thigh," the statement read. "The defender will be out of action for approximately 20 days."
Despite enduring a stop-start season, the defender has made over 20 league appearances for the Italian champions, who are six points clear at the top of Serie A with seven games remaining.
Chiellini can expect to miss matches against AC Milan, Palermo and Lazio, with a trip to Fiorentina on April 24 likely coming too soon for him.