Bojinov setback rocks Bulgaria
Monday, August 20, 2007
Article summary
Bulgaria's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying hopes have been hit by the news that Manchester City FC striker Valeri Bojinov is out for five months with a knee injury.
Article body
Disastrous start
The 21-year-old learned that he will be out for up to five months after a scan revealed damage to lateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee. Bojinov, who signed from ACF Fiorentina in early August, was only six minutes into his first City start on Sunday when he fell awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Manchester United FC's Patrice Evra. In addition to this week's friendly match against Wales, the striker will be unavailable for Bulgaria's forthcoming fixtures against the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Albania, Romania and Slovenia.
Berbatov doubt
Dimitar Penev's side are second in the group, two points behind Romania and one ahead of the Netherlands, who have a game in hand. They are also sweating on the fitness of captain Dimitar Berbatov, whose groin injury has made him doubtful for next month's double-header against the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
