AC Milan hopes Mario Balotelli will return for Dec. 20 match vs. Frosinone

On-loan AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli could return to action in time for the Serie A match against Frosinone on Dec. 20 - the club's final fixture before the Italian winter break.

Balotelli underwent surgery on his groin earlier in November. He was expected to spend a month on the sidelines, and CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed Saturday that the 25-year-old could yet play for the club before Christmas.

"On Monday, Balo will start kicking the ball again," Galliani said after the club's 4-1 win over Sampdoria. "The hope is to have him for the Frosinone match on the 20th of December. The operation he underwent was carried out by one of the leading surgeons in the field."

Balotelli last appeared for the Rossoneri on Sept. 27 in a 1-0 loss to Genoa.