Werder injuries mount

[Freddy Adu]

Werder injuries mount

Even during the winter break, the injuries keep mounting for Werder Bremen. Added to the list is Clemens Fritz, who underwent a a successful groin operation on Friday.

"Even during the holiday, the pain was constantly there", said Fritz. An evaluation by club physician Dr. Götz Dimanski determined that the groin needed to be operated on immediately.

"We chose the earliest time possible to perform the operation, so that as little time as possible would be lost in the second leg", said Dr. Dimanski. "It was important to do the operation now", added head coach Thomas Schaaf. "This gives us the chance to have Clemens back in training in mid January."

Fritz appeared relieved after undergoing the successful procedure. "It was better to do it now than to have to stop training in January." The 27 year-old player will remain in Berlin for two days and then return to Bremen to begin rehab.