Mintal faces lengthy lay-off

Nurnberg midfielder Marek Mintal could miss the rest of the season.

Nurnberg midfielder Marek Mintal is very likely to miss all this Bundesliga season's remaining action.

The 2004/2005 Bundesliga top scorer underwent surgery on his instep on Wednesday during which the surgeons removed a metal screw from his foot.

It was initially thought the injury may only rule him out for up to six weeks, but now doctors predict that Mintal could not be at Nurnberg coach Hans Meyer's disposal for the rest of the season.

"In the sporting point of view, his injury is not as tragic as for him like a human being. But he is not left sad, more to the contrary, he stays positive," coach Meyer told Kicker.

"With all probability, Marek will miss more action than we formerly predicted. We hope though, that he will return yet during this season," Nurnberg sports director Martin Bader said.

Mintal picked up the foot injury in a training session in September 2005 and has since been struggling with the problem.