Hamburg hit by Meier absence
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Article summary
Hamburger SV will be without midfielder Alex Meier for up to eight weeks as he recovers from ankle surgery.
Article body
Surgery required
The 20-year-old Meier requires surgery on a troublesome ankle injury and will miss the trip to the Ukraine next Wednesday. He faces eight weeks of inactivity and will be joined on the sidelines by Czech defender Milan Fukal, who is likely to be out until the new year with a knee problem.
Eight-week absence
Meier, who moved to Hamburg from city rivals FC St. Pauli in the summer, will be admitted to a Swiss hospital today. Club doctor Oliver Dierk said: "Alex is to undergo surgery because a nerve has to be freed and a part of the bone has to be taken away in his right ankle. For the coming six to eight weeks he will not be available." Hamburg travel to the Meteor stadium with a one-goal lead after the first leg in Germany finished 2-1 in favour of Kurt Jara's side.
