Injury sidelines Schick until mid-October

Bayer Leverkusen Patrik Schich will be out of action for at least three weeks after suffering an injury in his left thigh.

Czech international Schick was forced off late in the win against St. Pauli, clutching the back of his leg, sparking initial fears of a long-term absence.

Scans have revealed that Schick has avoided a more serious structural injury, with the club confirming that it was “only” a fascia injury.

As a result, Schick will miss the upcoming Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, as well as Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Union Berlin.

If all goes well with his recovery, he could return after the international break for the away fixture against Mainz.

However, Bayer have recent experience with this type of injury — Malik Tillman’s fascia problem earlier in the year took longer to heal than expected, so the timeline is not guaranteed.

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand praised his team’s response to adversity after the win in Hamburg, saying: “We showed character.”

There was more positive news regarding Robert Andrich, who came off just before half-time with a groin issue. Tests revealed no structural damage, though it remains uncertain whether the midfielder will feature against PSV.

With Exequiel Palacios already sidelined until the end of the year following thigh surgery, Leverkusen are unlikely to take risks with Andrich’s fitness. Summer signing Ezequiel Fernández impressed off the bench in Hamburg and has made a strong case for a starting role alongside Aleix García in midfield.