Bremen hit by Mertesacker injury

SV Werder Bremen will be without both first-choice centre-backs for their UEFA Champions League Group A opener against Tottenham Hotspur FC after Per Mertesacker joined Naldo in the treatment room.

The 25-year-old picked up a facial injury during Germany's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday, and has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to FC Bayern München as well as the home match against Spurs next Tuesday. "It's a wholly unsatisfactory situation for us," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "We are very disappointed."

Bremen have not yet commented on how much time Mertesacker is likely to spend on the sidelines, but Schaaf will be keen to have the experienced international back as soon as possible. He is already without the Brazilian Naldo, who has not played this season due to a knee problem, although new-signing Mikaël Silvestre is available.