Forssell faces long spell on sidelines

Hannover's injury problems are piling up as striker Mikael Forssell is set to undergo foot surgery and faces three months on the sidelines.The former Chelsea and Birmingham frontman sustained a metatarsal bone
injury in the Bundesliga clash against promoted Mainz in mid-August.

The 28-year-old Finnish international, who joined Hannover from Birmingham on a free transfer in summer 2008, is now set to go under the knife of Munich-based specialist Dr Markus Walther.

Following the surgery, he is expected to leave hospital at the end of the week and will be unable to train for six weeks.

Speaking of the situation, Hannover manager Andrea Bergmann said: "We will be carefully waiting for him to return.

"He needed this surgery to recover well and all we can do at this time is hope that he will be back soon."

Forssell joins Germany international Jan Schlaudraff, Brazilian defender Vinicius Bergantin and former Fulham midfielder Leon Andreasen on the long-term injury list at Hannover, while goalkeeper Robert Enke also faces a spell on the sidelines with a mystery illness.