Bender facing long-term lay-off

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender has been ruled out for several weeks after rupturing muscles in his thigh.

Voller confident Leverkusen will become stronger from setbacks

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender has been ruled out for several weeks after rupturing muscles in his thigh. The Germany international is facing a lengthy lay-off after sustaining the injury in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg. Bender on Monday travelled to Munich for further assessment and although it is not yet known how long he will be out, Leverkusen have said it will not be a short-term absence. It is the latest piece of bad news for the Bundesliga club after they were humiliated in the UEFA Champions League by a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona. And Leverkusen general manager Rudi Voller told kicker-Sportmagazin: "The injury of Lars Bender is a further setback. "Still, I am sure we will get back stronger from all this. We have a good team."