The injury count continues to rise for Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their trip to Rangers as defender Sven Bender was forced off during Saturday afternoon’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The German international was helped from the pitch in clear discomfort little more than half an hour into the Bundesliga clash and now looks highly likely to miss Thursday’s Europa League clash against the Gers at Ibrox.
Bender is a key part of the Bayer defence and was making his 36th appearance of the campaign.
He’s the fourth player who could miss the upcoming trip to Glasgow through injury.
Skipper, Lars Bender is reportedly a doubt [Daily Record], while top goalscorer, Kevin Volland, has been sidelined for three months with a serious ankle injury [Bayer 04 Leverkusen Twitter].
Attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri will also definitely miss out having sustained a shoulder injury during his side’s 3-1 midweek win over Union Berlin.
While unfortunate for the individuals concerned, the weakening of the Bayer squad can only be good news for the Gers, as they go in search of a spot in the quarter-finals.
Given their wretched form in domestic competition since the break, which has seen the prospect of the Scottish Cup and a 55th top-flight title slip away, the Europa League is now essentially the only thing Steven Gerrard’s side have left to play for.
While the overwhelming feelings for supporters right now are of frustration and anger, it would still be an incredible achievement to reach the last eight, having started off in the first qualifying round way back in July.
