Audel injury blow for Stuttgart

Stuttgart have suffered a blow in their relegation fight in the Bundesliga with midfielder Johan Audel injurying his knee on Monday.

The French playmaker tore ligaments in his right knee in a training drill and is expected to miss “several months”, according to Stuttgart’s official website.

The club is 17th on the Bundesliga table, just two points from bottom, and have won just three league games in 16 matches this campaign.

Audel, 27, collided with goalkeeper Sven Ulreich at training when they were fighting for possession, and Ulreich expressed his sympathy for his team-mate.

“I feel really sorry for Johan. That’s terrible news. We all hope that the operation goes well and that he can begin rehabilitation training soon. The most important thing is that he gets well again soon,” Ulreich said.

The midfielder has made just three appearances in the Bundesliga this term due to a niggling ankle injury.

Audel joined Stuttgart in the summer after spending the past 10 years playing football in France at Nice, Lille, Lorient and most recently Valenciennes in Ligue 1.