Frings Faces Long Layoff With Knee Injury

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings will be out of action for several months after he picked up a serious knee injury.

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings will be out of action for several months after he picked up a serious knee injury in a pre-season friendly, his Bundesliga club Werder Bremen said on its Web site on Wednesday.

An MRI scan conducted overnight in Bremen confirmed that the player suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee during Werder Bremen's match against second division side SC Paderborn on Tuesday.

"We are deeply shocked," coach Thomas Schaaf was quoted saying, adding: "Torsten is one of our most important players. He's irreplaceable".

Frings said he was determined to shake off the injury and hoped to return as soon as possible. The 30-year-old midfielder is also expected to miss Germany's remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers.