Spilár injury spoils Brugge plans

Club Brugge KV's UEFA Champions League prospects have been hit by the news that Marek Spilár could be out for as long as five weeks after suffering a knee injury against FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

'The doctors are optimistic'
Central defender Spilár underwent an operation this morning, and said afterwards: "Fifty-five minutes into the game against Moscow, I suddenly felt a pain in my left knee. I do not know why but after five minutes the pain was so severe that I had to stop playing. It was the first time I have suffered pain in my knees, and now, four hours after the operation, I do not feel anything any more. The doctors are optimistic, they told me that I could be back in training in three weeks' time."
 
Two options
Brugge coach Trond Sollied said one of two players would replace Spilár in forthcoming games - including next Tuesday's trip to Galatasaray SK. "I believe that Marek will be out of the team for a period of four to six weeks," he said. "Therefore another player will have a chance, most likely Philippe Clement or Milan Lesnjak. Tjörven de Brul is fit at the moment but he has only been back in training for one week, and that is not enough. Clement and Lesnjak are fit and they are training on a regular basis. One of those two will now fill Marek's position."

Third place
Sollied's side lie third in Group H, having lost at FC Barcelona on Matchday One before their home 0-0 draw against Lokomotiv. Galatasaray are second after a win at Lokomotiv and home defeat by Barcelona.