Tihinen faces lengthy lay-off
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Article summary
RSC Anderlecht defender Hannu Tihinen will be out for at least two months after surgery on a foot injury.
Article body
Two months out
The 28-year-old Finnish international suffered the injury during the 4-4 draw in London. Despite initial estimates that Tihinen would be sidelined for six weeks, ruling him out of the first leg in Lisbon and the return in Brussels, the player will actually be absent for at least two months following surgery on Monday night.
Young defence
Tihinen's injury will leave coach Hugo Broos with an inexperienced back four against the Portuguese, as the 32-year-old Glen De Boeck will only return in September after knee surgery. Anthony Vanden Borre (16), Vincent Kompany (18), Olivier Deschacht (23) and either Mark Deman (21) or Lamine Traore (22) are expected to start at the Estádio da Luz.
Keeping faith
Broos will not bring in new players, however, "because we have a number of players who will be back in the near future". He added: "We also have some good young players who can now prove how good they are."
