Shocking news for Schalke 04!
In the first test match of the bottom of the table once morest FC Zurich (2:2) in the training camp in Belek/Turkey, striker Sebastian Polter (31) had to be replaced following almost 25 minutes with knee problems due to injury.
Now there is a first diagnosis: suspected cruciate ligament injury in the right knee! The club announced this on Twitter on Sunday morning.
After the game, Polter was immediately taken to a hospital. Team doctor Dr. Patrick Ingelfinger accompanied MRI examination in a Turkish hospital then revealed the bitter news.
Gerald Asamoah (44), head of licensing at Schalke: “We were all surprised that the injury is so bad. Polti himself didn’t see it that way at first either, he even continued playing a little following he got injured.”
If the suspicion is confirmed, it would most likely be the end of the season for Polter.
There is little reason for hope: After Polter was almost pain-free on Saturday, according to BILD information he might hardly perform the next day and was in great pain.
The striker left the training camp in Belek on Sunday morning and flew back to Germany for further examinations.
Problem for coach Thomas Reis (49): After the Polter injury, the Schalke coach only has a pure center forward in his squad in Simon Terodde (34).
What’s next for Schalke’s storm?
Asamoah: “We will now consult and not rush things. We have Kenan (Karaman, ed.) who can fill the position. And we’re looking at Keke Topp, who’s doing very, very well in the U19s.”
The 18-year-old has scored ten goals in eleven games this U19 season so far. However, it is impossible for the attacker to travel to the training camp.