Rau ruled out for Bayern

Miserable time
The 23-year-old ruptured a muscle in his left leg while playing for Bayern's second string against FC Augsburg yesterday, and the club do not expect him back before the end of the season. It caps a miserable period for Rau, who could be leaving the Olympiastadion in the summer because of limited opportunities.

Chances limited
Rau has failed to establish himself in the Bayern side since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in summer 2003 - even after the departure of French veteran Bixente Lizarazu prior to the 2004/05 campaign. Coach Felix Magath initially preferred the right-sided Hasan Salihamidzic at left-back before Lizarazu returned six months later and was restored to the team.

Lahm return
To make matters worse for Rau, who has been capped seven times, his fellow German international Philipp Lahm is due to return to Bayern next season after a successful loan at VfB Stuttgart. It is also believed that the 35-year-old Lizarazu will stay another year.