Injured Leverkusen Winger Kruse Faces Lengthy Period on the Sidelines

Australia international Robbie Kruse could be sidelined for up to four month having appeared to tear his ankle ligament during Saturday’s AFC Asian Cup triumph over Korea Republic.

The 26-year-old left the pitch in obvious pain on a stretcher in the 70th minute after collapsing under challenge from two Korea Republic defenders.

Leverkusen are to learn the full extent of the injury and possible recovery time on Monday when subsequent scans must have been carried out.

Kruse, who was hoping to break right into coach Roger Schmidt’s side on his return from the Asian Cup, missed the latter part of last season through cruciate ligament injury, which also ruled him out of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. He had only made his comeback in October in the 2-2 draw with SC Paderborn 07.

Robbie Kruse Could be Sidelined for Four Months. Image: Getty.
Robbie Kruse Could be Sidelined for Four Months. Image: Getty.

Leverkusen are fifth in the table, 16 points shy of leaders Bayern Munich and 8 points adrift of second-placed Wolfsburg.

The winger is likely to miss both legs of the club’s clash with Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Champions League round of 16. They face a trip to Hertha Berlin on Wednesday before hosting Wolfsburg the following Saturday.