Nowotny suffers injury setback
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
Article summary
Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender Jens Nowotny now looks set to be out until the end of the year.
Article body
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been hit by the news of more injury problems for their captain Jens Nowotny, who now looks set to be out until at least the end of the year.
Further surgery
The sweeper underwent further surgery under Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado because of complications with his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury. His comeback had been planned for October.
End of the year
"The operation went very well and inside his knee everything is alright, there is no cartilage damage," said Dr Thomas Pfeifer, Leverkusen's club doctor. "Jens will be able to participate in training at the end of the year."
Sorely missed
Nowotny was injured on 30 April in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester United FC. His absence from the heart of the defence coincided with Leverkusen finishing runners-up in the 1. Bundesliga, the German Cup and in Europe. He also missed out on Germany's second-place finish in the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.
