Andrea Masi injury blow for London Wasps and Italy

London Wasps and Italy centre Andrea Masi will be out for up to five months following surgery to his knee.

The 32-year-old damaged his posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in last month's Premiership defeat by Sale.

He is expected to be sidelined for between 16 and 20 weeks and will miss Italy's autumn internationals.

The 80-cap international will also be a doubt for the Azzurri's Six Nations campaign, which begins in February.

Wasps improved their backs options this week by signing USA centre Andrew Suniula and were boosted by the arrival of wing William Helu, who was signed in the summer but remained in Tonga to nurse an injury.