The influential forward suffered a muscular tear during Roma's 3-2 defeat at Catania in the weekend, and diagnoses confirmed that he might be out for up to two months.

"I had another test yesterday which confirmed the muscular tear. I will have to miss the first few games of 2009," Totti told Corriere dello Sport.

"But I have already studied a program of work with my physiotherapist to get back as soon as possible.

"I am confident and the doctors have explained to me that it is not a serious tear. I don't think I will miss many games. It hurts to be out, particularly when I was rediscovering my best form."

Totti's recent displays helped Roma overcome their poor start of the season, as he scored five goals in the last five Serie A games.

Better future

The 32-year-old considered that he endured a rough end of the year, adding that he will be glad to kick-off a new start once he's back from injury.

"The last few months witnessed a number of difficult moments for both Roma and me.

"We had a bad start to our season, and then came the death of chairman Marco Sensi and my knee injury. Nonetheless, I'm still looking to the future with optimism," added Totti.