Bayern’s Ribery to miss local derby game

Bayern Munich’s French winger Franck Ribery will miss the Bavarian club’s local derby with 17th-placed Nuremberg at the weekend after picking up a foot injury, coach Louis van Gaal said Friday.

The 27-year-old returned from a four-month layoff a fortnight ago but strained his left foot in Wednesday’s Champions League 2-1 win against Fiorentina.

That game was the first time Ribery had completed an entire 90 minutes since his comeback.

“It’s a preventative measure,” the Dutchman said. “It’s better that he doesn’t play but he could feature in the game against Hamburg.”

Bayern meet Hamburg, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s new club, on February 28.

The Munich side are currently placed second in the Bundesliga, sitting behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference.