Hamburg´s Mathijsen out for eight weeks

Hamburg’s Dutch international defender Joris Mathijsen will be out for at least eight weeks with an ankle injury, his club announced on Friday.

The 30-year-old centre-back damaged ligaments in his right ankle during Holland’s 1-0 friendly win against Turkey on Wednesday and he will not be able to resume playing before the end of the year.

Hamburg’s medical team said they had not yet decided whether or not Mathijsen will need to undergo surgery.

Currently ninth in the Bundesliga, Hamburg have been plagued by injuries this season, with key players including goalkeeper Frank Rost and Dutch stars Eljero Elia and Ruud van Nistelrooy all spending time on the sidelines.