Rakitic out of season opener

Midfielder out for four weeks after injuring ankle ligaments

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 21st July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rakitic out of season opener

Rakitic: Tore ankle ligaments

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Schalke will be without midfielder Ivan Rakitic for the start of the season after he was ruled out for four weeks.

The Croatian international tore ankle ligaments shortly after coming off the bench in the second-half of a friendly with Bayern Munich on Sunday.

The talented 21-year-old was rushed to hospital where the extent of the damage was revealed leaving manager Felix Magath without one of his star performers.

Rakitic has been touted for big things for a number of seasons and will be eager to get back into action, with the Royal Blues desperate to hit the ground running this term after a disappointing campaign last time out.

The youngster joins fellow midfielder Jermaine Jones and defender Christian Pander on the treatment table.

All three have been ruled out for the opening Bundesliga fixture against Nurnberg on 8th August.

Some good news for the club is that Rakitic will not need an operation after the results of the scan revealed that the injury was not as bad as first feared.

Bundesliga 1 Win Outright: Schalke 7/1