Bremen lose captain Baumann
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Article summary
Werder Bremen captain Frank Baumann will be out of action for between ten and 12 weeks after undergoing an operation for a troublesome achilles tendon injury.
Article body
Ten-week absence
Baumann's operation for a persistent problem is reported to have been a success and the UEFA Cup contenders confirmed on Thursday that the defensive midfielder faces up to three months on the sidelines. "I will begin my rehabilitation right away on Friday," said Baumann. "In two weeks I'll be able to start aqua-jogging and, ideally, I will return to first-team training in ten weeks."
Enduring injury
The 31-year-old has been plagued by achilles trouble in recent months and has only managed eleven Bundesliga appearances this season for second-placed Bremen. Thomas Schaaf's side will have to do without their experienced skipper in their forthcoming UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against AFC Ajax. The first leg will take place at the Weserstadion on 14 February with the return fixture eight days later.