Bundesliga News

Wolfsburg lose Schlager long-term to ACL surgery

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

Bundesliga table-toppers VfL Wolfsburg will have to do without an important half of their central midfield partnership for several months. 

On Monday it was confirmed that Xaver Schlager was scheduled for ACL surgery on Tuesday. 
Xaver Schlager.
Xaver Schlager.Photo: Granada, CC-by-SA 4.0
The Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung reports that the injury suffered by VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver Schlager during Sunday's third round Bundesliga fixture against Leipzig is in fact a cruciate ligament rupture. Germany's green company team confirms that the 23-year-old Austrian international is scheduled to go under the knife tomorrow. 


A precise diagnosis for his time spent on the sidelines is lacking at this point. Given the nature of the injury, however, it is safe to assume that Schlager will not again be available until after the turn of the calendar year. Maximilian Arnold's preferred midfield partner could be out much longer. 

Schlager has made 70 competitive appearances for die Autostädter since moving to the Bundesliga ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. After missing some initial time after his transfer, the former RB Salzburg and FC Liefering midfielder became a regular fixture in the lineup. He's started all four competitive fixtures thus far this year, collecting one assist. 

VfL right-back Kevin Mbabu is also struggling with knee problems, but his condition remains day-to-day. Mbabu has cancelled his tour of international duty with Switzerland in the coming week. 




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