AC Milan announced today that they will begin their defence of the Serie A title without left-back Taye Taiwo after the Nigerian summer signing suffered a sprained ankle.

Taiwo, who was brought in on a free transfer after six years at French side Marseille, picked up the injury in Sunday's Berlusconi Trophy match against Juventus and faces a month on the sidelines.

The 26-year-old has already been criticised by his new coach, Massimiliano Allegri, who has said that he "has to learn about the way the game is played in Italy."

Meanwhile, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a doubt for Milan's season-opener against Cagliari in Sardinia with a knock to his left ankle.

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