Bayern's Altıntop sidelined until 2008

FC Bayern München midfielder Hamit Altıntop will be out of action until the new year after undergoing surgery on torn cartilage in his right knee on Tuesday.

No delay
The 24-year-old will miss the Bundesliga games against MSV Duisburg and Hertha BSC Berlin as well as Bayern's remaining UEFA Cup Group F game against Aris Thessaloniki FC on 19 December, with his side currently top of the section having taken five points from their first three games. "We first thought we might wait until the winter break for the surgery but decided to have it done right away," explained Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Busy season
The German-born Turkish international, who arrived in Munich last summer from FC Schalke 04 - where his twin brother Halil still plays - is the only player to have been involved in all 22 of Bayern's competitive games this season, scoring three times in 15 Bundesliga games. Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger is approaching fitness again after missing out in recent weeks with a knee strain.