Roma skipper Francesco Totti will make another surprisingly quick return from injury, the doctor who operated on his knee said Monday.
''I found a perfect knee, a fighter's knee,'' orthopedic surgeon Pierpaolo Mariani told Italian radio a day after the operation.
''Just as he made a miraculous recovery the last time, he'll do the same now,'' said Mariani.
Totti surprised many by coming back from breaking a leg in time to play a large part in Italy's 2006 World Cup win.
Asked how long it would take Totti this time, Mariani confirmed earlier estimates that ''four months is about the right time''.
That means Roma should have Totti back by the start of the next season on August 31.
The Roma icon had a cruciate ligament in his right knee replaced after it snapped during Roma's 1-1 draw against Livorno Saturday.
Two years ago he suffered a fracture of his left fibula and ligament damage in February but was back in time for Germany 2006, even though he had to play with metal pins in his foot.
Asked how Totti was feeling, Mariani said ''his mood is good''.
''Even in the operating theatre he kept joking to me, 'they wished it on me','' referring to opposing fans who had been sending him bad vibes over a recent refereeing decision.
Saturday's draw meant Inter, 1-0 winners at Torino Sunday night, were able to widen the gap at the top to six points with four games to go.
