Wiese woe for Werder

Werder Bremen keeper Tim Wiese has been sidelined for six months.

The highly-rated shot stopper moved to the Weser Stadion this summer from Kaiserslautern and had only just recovered from a previous cruciate injury sustained in November.

Wiese again tore his ligaments during a friendly fixture against Hansa Rostock on Saturday, as a heavy pain in his knee was later confirmed to be the serious injury.

The 23-year-old had been expected to challenge Andreas Reinke for the number one spot at the UEFA Champions League contenders, but now faces spending a large portion of the Bundesliga season watching his new club from the sidelines.

"I'm shocked, but I won't look back and I will lift myself out of this trouble again," said a defiant Wiese.

Werder have already signalled their intention to embark on a dash for a new custodian as they only have Danish youngster Kasper Jensen to act as cover.

"We don't care for the age, but in any case we will have to sign a new keeper," stressed director of sport Klaus Allofs.