Bayer Leverkusen are likely to be without Roberto Hilbert until 2014 after the defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament tear earlier this week.
Hilbert sustained the injury following a collision in training on Wednesday afternoon, with scans quickly revealing ligament damage in his left knee.
The 29-year-old has initially been ruled out for at least the next few weeks in a prognosis revealed on Leverkusen's official website last night, but is not thought to need corrective surgery.
Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia must now cope without a defender who has featured in seven matches so far this season, after returning to the Bundesliga last summer following three seasons with Turkish side Besitkas.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
