Bayern defender Sule set for surgery after tearing ACL

Germany and Bayern Munich centre-back Niklas Sule faces a long spell on the sideline as he prepares to undergo surgery on Sunday.

Published : Oct 20, 2019 16:22 IST

Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule was taken off after going into a challenge with Florian Niederlechner.

Bayern Munich has confirmed Niklas Sule tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Bundesliga draw against Augsburg.

Germany centre-back Sule will undergo surgery on Sunday after scans confirmed head coach Niko Kovac's fears of a serious injury.

Sule, 24, went down clutching his left leg after going into a challenge with Florian Niederlechner in the early stages of the 2-2 draw in Bavaria.

The defender walked from the pitch but Kovac admitted to having "a very bad feeling" and the most important pillar of his back four now faces several months on the sidelines.

Bayern announced the blow following an "in-depth investigation by club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt".

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Sule was making his eighth start of the champion's uneven Bundesliga campaign, having become an entrenched member of the starting XI last season as the influence of Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels - now at Borussia Dortmund - started to wane.

His condition is sure to be of concern to Joachim Low, who may have to make Euro 2020 plans without the former Hoffenheim player.

Bayern came from behind to lead at Augsburg following Sule's substitution but was ultimately forced to share the spoils, Alfred Finnbogason nicking a point for the host in second-half stoppage time.