SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA, Sardinia (AP) – Germany defender Philipp Lahm had elbow surgery Wednesday, but is expected to be fit for the World Cup next month.
German team officials said Lahm would be back training within two weeks.
He partially tore ligaments and tendons in his left elbow during a practice match Tuesday, shortly before coach Juergen Klinsmann’s squad flew to southern Sardinia, where Germany began preparations for the World Cup.
“He had an operation today in Munich and the way things look now, he’ll be released tomorrow,” assistant coach Joachim Loew said. “He will get a brace and he should be able to start jogging in three days. After 14 days, we expect him to start practicing with the team if all goes well.
“Right now, we assume he’ll be at the World Cup.”
The 22-year-old Bayern Munich defender landed awkwardly while playing a 60-minute practice match against amateur side Luckenwalde in Mannheim on Tuesday. The team later traveled without him to Italy. Germany won the match 7-0.
Host Germany kicks off the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.
Germany already has two injured players in the squad – defender Christoph Metzelder and midfielder Sebastian Kehl, both of Borussia Dortmund. Kehl has an ankle injury and Metzelder tore a muscle in his calf.
AP-ES-05-17-06 0840EDT
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