Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz has been ruled out for several weeks after suffering a ligament injury in his right ankle during Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Werder Bremen.

The 21-year-old, who was introduced at the start of the second half, was forced off in the 59th minute following a foul. An MRI scan conducted after the game confirmed the extent of the injury.

“That was the diagnosis from an MRI scan following the game. The 21-year-old midfielder will be out of action for several weeks,” the club stated on Monday via its site.

Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes acknowledged the setback but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to cope in Wirtz’s absence.

“The loss of Florian obviously hits us hard in this phase of the season, but we will compensate for him with a strong squad. We know Florian and also know he will come back as soon as possible. Everybody will support him in that. We are assuming he will be fully fit again for the end of the season run-in,” Rolfes said.

Leverkusen will now have to navigate the coming weeks without one of their key creative players as they continue their push for silverware.

[Punch]