Bremen's Fritz goes under the knife

Having felt "constant pain during the holidays" the Werder Bremen midfielder Clemens Fritz has had an operation on a troublesome groin injury today.

Braga test
Coach Thomas Schaaf hopes to have the 27-year-old back in full training by mid-January after club doctor Götz Dimanski said the player was sent "as early as possible for surgery so he can return to action as quickly as possible". Fritz has appeared in just eight Bundesliga matches this term due to continued problems with his groin, but will hope to be back playing at 100 per cent when Bremen tackle SC Braga in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 in February.