Adjust font size:
MUNICH, Germany -- Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is facing at least three weeks out of action with an ankle injury. Bayern said he was hurt in a training challenge against team mate Mark van Bommel. "This is bitter news for Lukas," Bayern coach Felix Magath said in a statement on Friday. "It's a real shame for him to be missing when we have so many games." Bayern have a Champions League Group B match at home to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday when they need a point to clinch a place in the last 16 with two matches to spare. Podolski will also have to sit out Bundesliga games against Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke 04, Hanover 96 and Bayer Leverkusen. Germany will have to do without the 21-year-old when they take on Cyprus in a Euro 2008 qualifier on November 15. His target will be to return for Bayern against VfB Stuttgart on November 18. Podolski was named the best young player at the World Cup. He moved from Cologne to Bayern before the beginning of the season and after a poor start his form has been steadily improving. Bayern are in fourth place in the Bundesliga with 13 points from eight games. The club have been hit hard by injuries this season. Midfielder Owen Hargreaves and center back Valerien Ismael are on the long-term casualty list, while Brazilian center back Lucio will be out for another fortnight. Podolski is unlikely to be back in action before November 18. |