Holiday injury rules out Helmes for six months

Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany striker Patrick Helmes will be out for up to six months having damaged his cruciate knee ligament while on holiday, it was revealed on Friday.

The 25-year-old had an operation on Friday after picking up the injury in a kick-around with friends during his summer break, according to German tabloid Bild.

“It is a bitter pill for Patrick to swallow, he will be missed,” said Leverkusen’s coach Jupp Heynckes.

With a year to go before the World Cup, Germany coach Joachim Loew said he had sympathy for the striker who has 12 caps and scored in the 2-1 friendly defeat to England last November.

“That is unfortunate for Patrick that he picked up an injury in the summer holiday,” said Loew.

“Whether it sets him back for the World Cup, it is really too early to say.

“Philipp Lahm had a similar situation in 2006 and he was back in time and scored the opening goal.”