Hargreaves surgery blow for Bayern

Milan test too soon
Hargreaves will face a lay-off of at least three weeks following the operation today, although the Bundesliga leaders say "he will be able to return to training in ten days if everything works out well". However, Milan's visit to Munich on 21 February is likely to come too soon for the 25-year-old English international, who will definitely sit out league matches against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Hertha BSC Berlin and 1. FC Nürnberg.

Injury-hit campaign
Hargreaves has struggled with groin problems all season, limiting the all-rounder in Felix Magath's squad to nine Bundesliga appearances and two in the UEFA Champions League. Bayern had hoped a more conservative treatment would cure the complaint, but club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller Wohlfahrt has now decided surgery is needed to avoid future complications.