Injured Schneider takes another break

Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider faces another time-out in his injury-interrupted season after being sidelined until the new year with a calf complaint.

New year return
The Germany midfielder has succumbed to the injury which has kept him out since the UEFA Cup win against AC Sparta Praha on 6 December, and will miss Leverkusen's remaining Group E game at FC Zürich next Wednesday. Fitness problems have limited Schneider, 34, to six Bundesliga appearances and two in the UEFA Cup this term. Schneider is expected to resume training during the winter break along with another injured player, Arturo Vidal. The 20-year-old Chile midfielder has returned home to recuperate from ligament damage to his left ankle.