Mifsud heads back to Malta

Personal reasons
Mifsud, 22, joined Kaiserslautern from Sliema Wanderers FC in 2001 and recently agreed a contract extension until summer 2004. However, that deal has been cancelled by mutual consent and Mifsud will return to Malta having not played in the Bundesliga this season.

Hamburg blow
Hamburger SV defender Björn Schlicke will be sidelined for a month after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee. Schlicke was injured playing for the Germany Under-21 team in the 1-1 draw in Turkey that secured their place at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals. He underwent surgery on Thursday.

Staying at Schalke
Belgian international Sven Vermant is staying at FC Schalke 04. The midfield player had intended to leave the club during the winter break, but has now been persuaded to see out his contract which expires in the summer.

Injury problems
In Belgium, R. Standard de Liège will be without midfield player Aleksandar Mutavdzic until after the winter break. The Serbo-Montenegrin has torn knee ligaments, having only recently recovered from surgery on a similar problem. Meanwhile, R. Antwerp FC midfield player Gideon Imagbudu will also be missing until the new year after suffering a suspected hamstring tear in a Belgian Cup match.

Bartlett setback
Finally to England, where Charlton Athletic FC striker Shaun Bartlett will not play until late February after an ankle operation. The South African twisted his ankle in training last month and had the surgery on Tuesday.