Deisler injury worse than feared
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
Article summary
Hertha BSC Berlin and Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler may be out until the new year as his knee injury is worse than originally feared.
Article body
Hertha BSC Berlin and Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler was quoted on Wednesday as saying a knee injury suffered earlier this month was worse than originally thought and he will be sidelined for another eight to nine weeks.
’Bitter pill’
"Of course this is a bitter pill to swallow," Deisler told Bild newspaper. "I wanted to get back into action as quickly as possible and help Hertha Berlin before the winter break. But unfortunately that won't happen."
Original prognosis
The gifted 21-year-old was injured in Hertha's 4-0 1. Bundesliga defeat by Hamburger SV on 13 October and originally the club's doctor said he would have to rest for four to six weeks. However, Deisler underwent surgery on his right knee last week in Vail, Colorado, and will now miss key UEFA Cup games and Germany’s 2002 FIFA World Cup play-off with Ukraine.
Ukraine meeting
Germany need to beat Ukraine to qualify for next summer's tournament in Korea/Japan. The first leg is in Kiev on 10 November with the return in Dortmund four days later.
Viking beaten
Hertha stand an excellent chance of reaching the third round of the UEFA Cup. The Olympiastadion outfit beat Viking FK 1-0 away in the first leg of their second-round tie. Deisler is unlikely to feature in the fourth round of the competition should Hertha progress that far.
