Leverkusen (Germany), Aug 4 (IANS): German football club Leverkusen will have to kick-off the season without central defender Oemer Toprak, who suffered a thigh injury during a friendly.
The Turkish international suffered the injury during Sunday's 3-1 win in a friendly over Italian outfit Chievo Verona. Coach Roger Schmidt suspected on Monday that "this won't be a short-term problem" and he proved to be right as Toprak sustained a tendon rupture in his left thigh, diagnosed following an MRI scan, reports Xinhua.
The 26-year-old will immediately begin with the rehabilitation process. He will be sidelined for a longer term nonetheless.
Toprak has been a part of the 'Werkself' since July 2011 and became a key player in their defence. He made 110 Bundesliga appearances with two assists and three goals. Bayer Leverkusen will face Hoffenheim in the first round of Bundesliga on August 15.