Ajax's Sigthórsson sits out rest of group stage
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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AFC Ajax have suffered a blow to their Group D hopes as Kolbeinn Sigthórsson's fractured ankle rules the Iceland forward out of their four remaining matches.
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Striker Kolbeinn Sigthórsson will miss the remainder of AFC Ajax's UEFA Champions League Group D campaign after suffering a stress fracture in his right ankle.
Hospital tests showed that the 21-year-old broke his ankle in the Amsterdam club's 1-0 Eredivisie loss at FC Groningen on Sunday. The news will come as a major blow to Ajax coach Frank de Boer, given the Icelandic international had started both of his side's opening group matches – the 0-0 draw with Olympique Lyonnais and the 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid CF.
Ajax have said that Sigthórsson will be out "until the winter break", which is scheduled to begin on 18 December. The forward, who has scored five goals in eight Eredivisie games since signing from AZ Alkmaar in the summer, registered 15 times in 32 league appearances last term.
In a further setback for De Boer, defender Toby Alderweireld has sustained a right ankle injury in training with the Belgian national team. Ajax have yet to announce how long the 22-year-old will be out for, but hope he returns in time for the matchday three trip to GNK Dinamo Zagreb on 18 October.
The Amsterdammers are third in UEFA Champions League Group D, five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid and three behind Lyon.
