Hanover hampered by injury crisis

Hanover are facing an injury crisis with nine injured or ill players missing from the squad ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen.

Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke is the biggest name out as he struggles to recover from the mystery virus which kept him out of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier victory over Azerbaijan.

Hanover’s ex-Germany striker Mike Hanke will also be missing in Bremen for the north Germany derby as he needs an operation early next week to remove his tonsils and is expected to sit out the next three weeks with a knee injury.

Coach Andreas Bergmann must also do without forward Mikael Forssell as the Finland international has a left foot injury which has been plaguing him for the last four weeks, while Brazil defender Vinicius needs a back operation.

Before Saturday’s matches, Hanover were 13th in the table, while Werder Bremen are third.