Pander to miss Schalke push
Monday, April 11, 2005
Article summary
FC Schalke 04's Germany Under-21 defender Christian Pander is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Article body
Ruptured ligaments
The German Under-21 international ruptured ligaments in his left knee after a first-half collision with Stuttgart defender Andreas Hinkel, in a match that has hit Schalke's championship hopes. The second-placed club are now three points behind Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München and just two above Stuttgart.
No surgery required
The 21-year-old Pander, who has made 24 league appearances this season along with six UEFA Cup outings, will at least escape surgery with Schalke team doctor Thorsten Rarreck saying: "As things stand, a more conservative treatment will do. If all goes to plan, he should be back for pre-season."
