Klasnić faces fortnight out

Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnić will be out for at least a fortnight after undergoing surgery on a stomach problem.

Inflamed appendix
The 25-year-old was taken to hospital yesterday afternoon after complaining of discomfort ahead of the Bundesliga outfit's UEFA Champions League fixture with Udinese Calcio. Doctors diagnosed an inflamed appendix, and decided to operate last night at the same time as Bremen were edging towards a 4-3 victory against Udinese.

'Responding well'
Klasnić, the scorer of eight goals this season, now faces two weeks on the sidelines but coach Thomas Schaaf is confident he will return in time to face FC Barcelona on 22 November. "The operation was successful and he is responding well," he told the club's offical website. "He should be back in 14 days but we will have to wait and see. If he is only missing for two weeks then that is good for us."

Bayern encounter
That period includes an international break but Klasnić will nevertheless be a crucial absentee when second-placed Bremen face Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München on Saturday.