Chalke 04 Loses Lovenkrands

Bundesliga leaders Schalke 04 will have to do without Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands for up to six weeks

Bundesliga leaders Schalke 04 will have to do without Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands for up to six weeks because of an ankle ligament injury.

Lovenkrands was forced out during the second half of Saturday's 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg and a subsequent scan confirmed he had suffered a serious injury.

Schalke, who lead the standings by five points, said on their Web site (www.schalke04.de) that the player would need between four and six weeks to recover.

The loss of Lovenkrands, who has scored six goals in the Bundesliga this season, leaves Schalke with just two fit strikers in Kevin Kuranyi and Halil Altintop.