Leverkusen lose Sam to injury

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been dealt a blow ahead of their UEFA Champions League encounter with Manchester United FC on Wednesday, as winger Sidney Sam has been ruled out through injury.

Sam limped off just four minutes into Leverkusen's 1-0 victory at Hertha BSC Berlin. The German international underwent a scan on Sunday morning and doctors have diagnosed muscle damage in his left thigh. "This is very bad news for us," Sporting Director Rudi Völler said in a club statement. "But the match against United is of huge importance for us and we need to make every effort without Sidney."

Leverkusen did not state whether or not Sam will be likely to return for the final group stage match at Real Sociedad de Fútbol on 10 December. Currently, Sami Hyypiä's side sit second in Group A, one point behind United and two ahead of third-placed FC Shakhtar Donetsk.