Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has returned from Miami and aims to be back on the pitch within a month.

Nesta hasn't been able to play any part in the Rossoneri's season as he has had a back problem since July.

The former Azzurri star was criticised for going to the USA to seek treatment, rather than staying in Europe, but he is back and raring to go.

“I'm going to Milanello to start work and when I am ready I will play,” Nesta told journalists at Linate Airport.

“I have been out for a long time and I had to take the problem seriously. I have done some hard work on my back and it has responded well.

“Now I am just lacking match fitness - that is the final test. I have a great desire to get back out there and I want to get back to the top level.

“I feel ready and I think it will take at most a month to recover fully. However, I have been out for eight months and we'll have to see how my body responds.

“In Miami I did exercises to reduce the damage in the lower back and I am happy with the things we did.”

Channel 4