Kompany adds to Hamburg woe
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Article summary
Hamburger SV have learned that their Belgian international defender Vincent Kompany will now be out of action until February with an inflamed achilles tendon.
Article body
Hamburger SV have learned that Belgian international defender Vincent Kompany will be out of action until February with an inflamed achilles tendon.
Surgical solution
Initial assessments suggested the 20-year-old would be sidelined for six weeks after he missed Hamburg's UEFA Champions League game against FC Porto on Matchday 4, but it has since emerged that the summer signing from RSC Anderlecht will require surgery. "Vincent could be back in action by the end of February," said club doctor Oliver Dierk. Coach Thomas Doll, who has been tormented by injuries this season, added: "This is bitter news. I am very sorry for Vincent. I hope he will be back soon."
Belgium blow
Kompany will have the operation in Switzerland on Thursday and will also sit out Belgium's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Poland on 15 November. Hamburg have no chance of progressing in Europe beyond Christmas. Having lost their opening four UEFA Champions League matches, they are seven points adrift at the foot of Group G, and also sit 15th in the 18-team Bundesliga. Juan Pablo Sorín, Nigel de Jong, Guy Demel, Raphael Wicky, Bastian Reinhardt and Collin Benjamin are other casualties.
