Guerrero injury rocks Hamburg

Hamburger SV striker José Paolo Guerrero could face a lengthy lay-off after reportedly tearing cruciate ligaments in Peru's FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat by Venezuela on Wednesday.

Bitter blow
The 25-year-old was substituted in the 15th minute, and though he is not expected to return to Hamburg until Friday, the club have confirmed they fear the worst. "The first reports from Peru conclude that Paolo has torn cruciate ligaments," HSV coach Bruno Labbadia said. "This is a bitter blow for us as well as for Paolo." Guerrero has scored four times in as many Bundesliga matches this season to help HSV to the top of the standings. His likely absence compounds a difficult week for the club who learned on Tuesday that Collin Benjamin had also damaged cruciate ligaments while on international duty with Namibia. Hamburg kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign away to SK Rapid Wien on 17 September.