Clemens Fritz injury: Werder Bremen defender out six weeks with groin injury

Clemens Fritz will miss at least the next six weeks after picking up a groin injury in training earlier in the week. The defender walked out of practice on Wednesday as a precautionary measure and was ruled out after further exams showed a pulled tendon.

Fritz, 31, has started all seven matches for Bremen this season, but at three different positions. The majority of his starts have come at left back, but he did start twice at right back and once in central midfield.

"He had been in good form in the last couple weeks and really had some good showings. He was really very valuable for the team," manager Thomas Schaaf said, "especially in the manner in which he played. But we have enough defensive players to take over his position and the responsibility."

His replacement at left back will likely be 23 year old Lukas Schmitz. He has played left back in both matches this season when Fritz moved over to right back.