Keeper Jens Grahl out with a fractured face

The 22-year old U-23 keeper, has been training with the first team in recent weeks as deputy to Daniel Haas, who has taken over the number one spot after regular Tom Starke was ruled out with injury. Unfortunately for the youngster he was part of a nasty collision with Andreas Ibertsberger that saw him come out as the one who was more worse for wear. The accident resulted in Grahl breaking his nose in more than one place, a double fracture in his maxillary sinus and a slight break in his left eye socket. The injury means that Grahl will need an operation, which is due to take place on Thursday.

It is a truly terrible injury to sustain, but the operation will be conducted at the University hospital in Heidelberg as the doctors try to make sure all the bones are set correctly in their original places once again. It is estimated that he will be out for up to 4 weeks and only then will he be able to take part in training. It is a major setback for the youngster who had been enjoying the opportunity in the first team and it leaves Hoffenheim a bit light in that position if, in the worst-case scenario, something were to happen to Daniel Haas.

We wish Jens Grahl a speedy recovery!