Ribery Is Gone Till September

The injury sustained by French international Franck Ribery in the team's loss to Italy during the final phase of the group stage during Euro 2008 will cost the midfielder to miss the start of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season.

Ribery tore ligaments above his left ankle and underwent surgery in Munich on Thursday. The operation was described in media reports as having "gone perfectly."

Originally believed to be out for around seven to eight weeks, the midfielder will once again be operated on in approximately six weeks to have metal plates removed.

This step backward means that the recovery time now must be reassessed. Ribery is likely to return to Bundesliga action in September.

After the plate removal, he will be on crutches for four weeks before commencing rehab exercises at Bayern's training ground.

Ribery out until September after his inury at Euro 2008.

Image details: France v Italy - Group C Euro 2008 served by picapp.com