Ribéry injury news a relief for Bayern

France winger Franck Ribéry will be out of action for the next four weeks after damaging ligaments in his right ankle while setting up FC Bayern München's equaliser in the German champions' 2-1 win at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Tuesday night. However, team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt said no surgery will be required.

Coach Louis van Gaal was relieved after hearing the news, admitting: "I had expected a worse injury. We hope he will recover quickly." Sporting director Christian Nerlinger added: "He does not need surgery. That is quite lucky in the circumstances. I believe that he can be back in training with the team within three weeks."

The 27-year-old is sure to miss the upcoming UEFA Champions League games against FC Basel 1893 and CFR 1907 Cluj, on Tuesday and 19 October respectively, but could be back in action on 3 November when Bayern travel to Romania. Bayern started their Group E campaign with a 2-0 home win against AS Roma last week.

Capped 48 times by France, Ribéry was beset by injuries last season, with knee, groin, tendon, toe and ankle problems restricting him to just 19 league appearances. Nerlinger said: "We all hoped things would go smoothly for him after he started the season without injury problems. He had been training outstandingly and gave his all. This is another setback, but it is a small one from which he will recover very quickly."