Bochum dealt Diabang blow
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Article summary
VfL Bochum 1848 will be without Mamadou Diabang for the next six months because of a cruciate ligament injury.
Article body
Scan results
Diabang sustained the injury during his side's UEFA Cup first round first-leg draw against R. Standard de Liège last Thursday, but the full extent of the problem was only revealed in the results of scans on Monday afternoon.
Slow start
The injury comes just as Diabang was beginning to make an impression after a slow start to his Bochum career. The 25-year-old Senegalese striker was signed in June 2003 after two seasons at DSC Arminia Bielefeld, but has struggled to claim a place in the starting lineup.
Late winner
Again this season, Diabang has been restricted largely to substitute appearances, but he has none the less made his presence felt, scoring the added-time winner for Bochum against his old club Arminia on 28 August.
Second leg
Bochum are undefeated in five Bundesliga matches this season. They are at home to Standard in their UEFA Cup return leg on 30 September.