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Barnetta in doubt for Leverkusen

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta is unlikely to play a part in his side's round of 32 tie against FC Metalist Kharkiv after requiring surgery on his right knee.

Tranquillo Barnetta is out for an unknown period after knee surgery
Tranquillo Barnetta is out for an unknown period after knee surgery ©Getty Images

Midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta is a doubt for Bayer 04 Leverkusen's round of 32 tie against FC Metalist Kharkiv after being told he needs to undergo surgery on his injured right knee.

The Swiss international tore his meniscus during Tuesday's 3-0 friendly win against second-tier VfL Bochum 1848 and will require an operation. "Of course this is annoying, but after the surgery I will do everything to be back as soon as possible," said Barnetta. The 25-year-old has missed just one Bundesliga match this season and scored two goals.

Leverkusen are unsure how long Barnetta will be unavailable, but it seems unlikely he will be back in time for the club's UEFA Europa League contest with Metalist. Group B winners in the autumn, Leverkusen travel to Ukraine on 17 February, before hosting Metalist in the return a week later.

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