BREMEN (SW) - Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker will have to miss out on the preparation for next season after injuring himself in training on Tuesday.

The giant, who also helped taking Germany to the second place at the European Championships last month, had to leave today's training session using crutches.

Tests at a local hospital point out that the player tore his knee ligaments, which usually means a recovery time of about one month.

More than likely, Mertesacker will also miss the first match of the season, against Arminia Bielefeld on August 16th.