Italy shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon is set to undergo back surgery after the World Cup. His long-standing disc problem resurfaced during Italy's 1-1 draw with Paraguay this week, forcing him to be substitute halfway through the game. Juventus custodian Buffon, who has been confirmed out of Italy's encounter with New Zealand, should go under the knife as soon as possible. However, the highly-rated keeper postponed the operation till after the World Cup, hoping to feature for the Azzurri again during the competition. "I thought a lot about it," said Buffon. "But I have to think about myself before anything else. "I will have an operation in Italy after the World Cup." Media reports suggest that Buffon will be sidelined for around four months after the operation.
