Bremen lose key trio for Inter trip

SV Werder Bremen have received a triple blow in their preparations for Wednesday's meeting with UEFA Champions League holders FC Internazionale Milano with the news that Clemens Fritz, Torsten Frings and Claudio Pizarro are all ruled out of the Group A game in Italy.

The trio picked up injuries in Saturday's 3-2 derby victory over Hamburger SV, with Fritz and Pizarro replaced at the end of either half after tearing thigh muscles. Captain Frings, meanwhile, suffered heavy bruising to his hip. "This is a harsh blow to us, a huge loss of quality ahead of a difficult trip," said coach Thomas Schaaf, who is already without Naldo, Petri Pasanen and Sebastian Boenisch due to knee injuries. Bremen drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur FC on Matchday 1.