Bremen’s problems mount ahead of trip to Spurs

Out of form Werder Bremen will have to face Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday not only without captain Torsten Frings but also missing defender Mikael Silvestre and striker Marko Arnautovic.

Silvestre, who joined the German side from Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal in the summer, is laid low with a back injury while Arnautovic misses out with a thigh problem.

Frings for his part is suspended for the trip to White Hart Lane against the Group A leaders. Bremen, who have lost five of their last six games, are struggling in fourth with two points and will be knocked out unless they can pull off a win.