Stuttgart dealt Bordon blow
High-flying Stuttgart have been rocked by the news that influential defender Marcelo Bordon will not be fit to play again until the New Year.
The 27-year-old Brazilian has been struggling with groin problems for several weeks and was forced to miss Saturday's 4-1 victory over Freiburg at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.
It has, however, now become apparent that an operation cannot be avoided and Bordon is likely to be out of action until the Bundesliga winter break.
The news comes as a blow to Stuttgart coach Felix Magath who has described Bordon as "irreplaceable".
Unbeaten Stuttgart climbed to the top of the domestic table with the win over their local rivals on Saturday and are still handily placed in the Champions League after defeating both Manchester United and Panathinaikos.
