Duisburg denied defender Krahn

FCR 2001 Duisburg's UEFA Women's Champions League hopes have taken a blow with the news that Germany defender Annike Krahn will be out for several months with a knee injury.

The 25-year-old was hurt during the 4-0 win against Glasgow City FC in Northern Ireland on Tuesday that took Duisburg past the qualifying round and examinations have revealed cruciate ligament tears, meaning she is unlikely to play again in 2010. This would rule her out of the round of 32 on 22/23 September and 13/14 October and a potential last-16 tie the following month, with the draw for both stages made next Thursday.

She will also miss the bulk of the Frauen-Bundesliga season, which begins on Sunday and ends early, on 13 March, to allow Germany to prepare for hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup next summer. "This is a heavy blow, first of all for Annike herself, but also for us as a club, because a player of her class cannot be replaced," Duisburg chairman Diester Oster said. "Now it has to be a case of all for one – we are now fighting for our Annike as well."

Krahn, who helped Duisburg win the 2008/09 UEFA Women's Cup and will also sit out Germany friendlies against Canada on 15 September and Australia on 28 October, added: "This is a bitter diagnosis, but ultimately that's the way it is and I cannot change it now. That's why I am trying to find a positive approach and to look forward."