VfB Stuttgart have been dealt a major blow in their survival hopes with news that striker Daniel Ginczek will be out for the remainder of 2015. Ginczek, 24, suffered the injury during the dramatic 2-2 draw that the Swabians salvaged at Hoffenheim back on October 3.
The statement on the official website of VfB Stuttgart said the following:
"The sporting management discussed possible methods of treatment with the player, the club's medical department as well as with external experts in recent days, leading to the conclusion that the forward needed to go under the knife."
"Stuttgart would like to wish our player a successful operation and subsequently a speedy recovery," they added.
The operation will occur on Friday in Munich, and the forward is expected to return for training at the end of January just in time for the second half of the season.
VfB woes continue
Stuttgart have struggled starting the new campaign - sitting bottom of the Bundesliga table with just one win and six defeats in their opening eight matches of the 2015/16 term.
The side have not got going yet under manager Alexander Zorniger, but reports state he has been given a vote of confidence by the board that he will be given the time to turn the team around.
They welcome Ingolstadt to the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Sunday evening, and after four straight home defeats they will be hoping for a change in fortune as the search for survival continues.
Chance to shine
The injury may be a blessing in disguise for Timo Werner. The German under-21 international will likely start in place of Ginczek, with high hopes placed upon the 19-year-old prospect.
Despite being so young, Werner has played 67 times for Stuttgart, scoring eight goals since graduating the youth academy in 2013. Meanwhile, the decision to let Vedad Ibisevic go looks all the more questionable, as he has scored four goals in just five appearances for Hertha Berlin.
