Bayern´s Ribery set for second ankle operation

Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery is set to have a second ankle operation on Friday, according to reports here.

German sports agency SID report the 25-year-old, who damaged ankle ligaments in last month's Euro 2008, will have a metal screw removed from his left ankle in a scheduled operation in Munich on Friday.

Ribery, who is on crutches and in a plaster cast, is expected to be fit for the middle of September and will miss the defending champions' start to the season on August 15 at home to Hamburg.

Bayern flew out to Japan on Tuesday for a friendly game against Urawa Red Diamonds minus injury concerns Italian Luca Toni and German duo Tim Borowski and Hans Jorg Butt.

The trio, who stayed behind for treatment, is doubtful for Bayern's German Cup tie at Erfurt on August 10, the club's website said Wednesday.