Bayern's Ribéry still eight weeks from return

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribéry is still eight weeks away from a possible return to action as he recovers from an ankle injury.

The French international tore ligaments in his ankle during this summer's European Championship clash with Italy and underwent ankle surgery soon after the tournament finished.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now revealed that the Bayern midfield maestro looks set to be out of action for at least another two months.

He faces eight weeks on the sidelines following the removal of metal screws from his injured ankle. An intense program of recuperation and rehabilitation will then follow before he is ready to appear for new Bayern trainer Jürgen Klinsmann.

"He will undergo a second operation so that the screw in his ankle can be withdrawn" Rummenigge told French newspaper L'Equipe. "Then eight weeks of rehabilitation is initially envisaged and should be sufficient before he makes his return to competition."