Bender out with torn thigh muscle

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a torn thigh muscle.

Bender picked up the injury in the 3-2 Bundesliga loss away to Wolfsburg last weekend.

The Germany international sustained the knock in the closing stages of the game, and underwent further examination on Monday to determine the extent of the problem.

Bender was diagnosed by sports doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich.

It is un known exactly how long Bender will be out of action, but Leverkusen have confirmed on their official website that the midfielder will be unavailable for “several weeks”.

Robin Dutt’s side are currently fifth in the Bundesliga with 40 points from 25 games, seven points adrift of the final Champions League-qualifying spot occupied by Schalke.

Earlier this month, Bender extended his contract with the club until 2015.

Bender, who signed for the North Rhine-Westphalian outfit in 2009 from 1860 Munich has taken up the option to extend his original five-year deal by another season.

The 22-year-old originally cost the club 2.5 million euros and has since become an integral member of the Leverkusen squad while also earning four national caps.