Hoffenheim hit by Ibisevic injury blow

AFP - 14 January 2009 22:15

Hoffenheim´s surprise challenge for the German title suffered a serious blow on Wednesday when it was feared that Bundesliga leading scorer Vedad Ibisevic, seen here on January 11, 2009, had torn cruciate ligaments in his right knee in a friendly match with Hamburg.

BERLIN AFP) (AFP) - Hoffenheim's surprise challenge for the German title suffered a serious blow on Wednesday when it was feared that Bundesliga leading scorer Vedad Ibisevic had torn cruciate ligaments in his right knee in a friendly match with Hamburg.

The 24-year-old Bosnian international, who has scored 18 goals this season inspiring the newly-promoted side to the top of the table, went off a few minutes from the end of the friendly which was played at La Manga in Spain.

"According to initial tests, it looks as if he has torn a cruciate ligament," read a statement on the club's website.

Ibisevic, who has also played for French sides Paris Saint Germain and Dijon, will be flown back to Germany on Thursday and undergo further scans to determine if the injury is as bad as is feared.

The German championship resumes after its traditional winter break on January 30.