Frings faces long layoff with knee injury - Werder Bremen

BERLIN, July 25 (Reuters) Germany midfielder Torsten Frings will be out of action for several months after he picked up a serious knee injury in a pre-season friendly, his Bundesliga club Werder Bremen said on its Web site today.

An MRI scan conducted overnight in Bremen confirmed that the player suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee during Werder Bremen's match against second division side SC Paderborn yesterday.

''We are deeply shocked,'' coach Thomas Schaaf was quoted saying, adding: ''Torsten is one of our most important players.

He's irreplaceable''.

Frings said he was determined to shake off the injury and hoped to return as soon as possible. The 30-year-old midfielder is also expected to miss Germany's remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers.

REUTERS BJR DS1525