(Reuters) – Inter Milan’s main striker Diego Milito is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over CFR Cluj.

The Argentine, who scored both goals in the final when Inter won the Champions League in 2010, had only just returned from injury and was in tears when he was carried off after six minutes at the San Siro.

Inter Milan's Diego Milito reacts during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Cagliari at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 18, 2012. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

"It’s his cruciate ligament, a new type of injury for Diego, nothing to do with the problems he’s had before," coach Andrea Stramaccioni told reporters.

"We’re gutted for Diego as a person first and foremost, and then of course for what he represents as a player. We need to see when he’ll have the operation."

Compatriot Rodrigo Palacio replaced Milito and scored both goals in the first leg of the round of 32 tie but he is generally a winger.

Inter, fourth in Serie A, must now face the final three months of the season without their only real out-and-out striker.

(Writing by Mark Meadows, editing by Nick Mulvenney)

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