Petric: I felt a blow to my muscle

Hamburger striker Mladen Petriæ will miss his side’s UEFA Cup Round of 16 decider at Galatasaray Aª on Thursday after tearing a right thigh muscle during Sunday’s 2-0 home win against FC Energie Cottbus while his replacement in that game, Piotr Trochowski, is struggling to be fit for the trip to Turkey.

After being taken off less than half an hour into the Bundesliga match, Petriæ said: “I was running and felt a blow to my muscle.”

Coach Martin Jol made light of his absence, saying: “There are international matches next weekend so we won’t miss him then.”