Del Piero to spend night in hospital

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero will spend the night in hospital after needing eight stitches to close a facial wound suffered during Sunday's win over Cesena.

Del Piero was caught in the face with a high boot from Cesena defender Marco Rossi after coming on as a substitute for Mirko Vucinic in Juve's 2-0 win.

The club veteran had only been on the pitch for around eight minutes before the unfortunate incident which forced him to leave the game on a stretcher.

A member of Juve's physio team managed to stop the bleeding with eight stitches to Del Piero's left temple.

The club have released a statement confirming that the 37-year-old has been admitted to hospital for further treatment.

"He never lost consciousness and the wound was sewn up at the stadium with eight stitches," the club said in a statement.

"Our captain will however be taken to hospital for the normal controls."

News agency Ansa reported that a CAT scan has ruled out any other complications, adding that Del Piero will remain in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.

Del Piero's contract at Juve expires at the end of the season and he will not be offered a deal to stay with the Serie A leaders. However, his last season at the club could prove to one of his most fondest as the Bianconeri have struggled to reclaim their position amongst Italy's elite after being relegated to Serie B following the Calciopoli scandal.

Sunday's win over Cesena lifted them two points clear of AC Milan and Udinese at the top of the Serie A summit.