Hertha confirm broken ankle for rumoured Bayern target Stark

Hertha Berlin have confirmed defender Niklas Stark is out for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle.

The 24-year-old also sustained torn ligaments in his right ankle during Sunday’s 0-0 Bundesliga draw at home to Hannover.

The centre-back has started 22 Bundesliga games this term and was called up by Germany for the first time this year, while his performances have seen him linked with a possible move to Bayern Munich.

Hertha are struggling in 11th place in the table, having lost five Bundesliga games in a row prior to their stalemate with Hannover.

Niklas Stark broke his ankle and suffered a torn ligament in yesterday’s game. He will not feature again this season. 

Get well soon, Nik! #hahohe pic.twitter.com/jvP0nrBVqD

— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) April 22, 2019

Hertha coach Pal Dardai is leaving the club at the end of the campaign having been in charge, initially on an interim basis, since February 2015.

Former Germany and United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been linked with taking over but denied he is set for a move to the Bundesliga.

“I heard my name is associated with Bundesliga clubs,” he wrote on Twitter. “Just to provide clarity: there’s nothing in it.”