Bayern rocked by news Neuer’s out for the year

– Bayern Munich have confirmed their goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer will be out until January having undergone another operation yesterday after again fracturing his left foot.

The 31-year-old had only returned at the end of August after fracturing the same foot in April. He suffered the fresh injury in training on Monday as Bayern prepared for last night’s Bundesliga match at Schalke.

This is Neuer’s third operation on the same foot in six months after minor surgery for a toe injury in March and then again in April after initially fracturing his foot.

Neuer’s latest injury blow sparks concerns about Ger-

Berlin

many’s skipper nine months before the World Cup kicks off.

He last played for Germany in a World Cup qualifier in October 2016.

Neuer will miss Germany’s key World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Belfast on October 5, where a win will book the holders’ place at Russia 2018.

Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who deputised when Germany won the Confederations Cup in July, is set to fill in.

His Bayern understudy Sven Ulreich will also take over until January.

Neuer will miss Bayern’s remaining Champions League group games, including their away match at PSG. – AFP