Kuiper injury blow for Twente

FC Twente left-back Nicky Kuiper looks likely to miss the rest of the UEFA Champions League group stage after tearing knee ligaments, but the Dutch titleholders have been boosted by the re-signing of Arnold Bruggink.

Kuiper was forced off 20 minutes into Sunday's 3-2 Eredivisie victory against ADO Den Haag and tests today confirmed the injury to his left knee. "His knee has been put in plaster and Kuiper will not be able to play for some time," a statement from the Enschede club read.

The 21-year-old will sit out Twente's remaining Group A games at SV Werder Bremen on 2 November and FC Internazionale Milano on 24 November, and then at home to Tottenham Hotspur FC on 7 December. Twente prop up the group but are only two points behind second-placed Tottenham.

Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Bruggink, 33, has signed a contract with Twente until the end of the season. The former PSV Eindhoven, RCD Mallorca and SC Heerenveen player began his career with Twente in 1993/94 and had been training with De Tukkers after leaving Hannover 96 during the summer.

"The club have become much bigger and more professional than in my first spell here, so I am really happy to come back," said Bruggink, who was capped twice by the Netherlands in 2000.