Bayern Munich No 1 Manuel Neuer suffering from ‘skier’s thumb’

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer monitoring ‘skier’s thumb’ on day-by-day basis as German champions sweat over fitness ahead of Liverpool Champions League clash

  • Manuel Neuer has emerged as a doubt for Bayern Munich’s clash with Liverpool
  • German club are monitoring the goalkeeper who is suffering with ‘skier’s thumb’
  • He had an X-ray over the weekend after missing the defeat at Bayer Leverkusen
  • If the injury requires surgery it could rule him out of action for three months 

Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer ahead of their Champions League last-16 showdown with Liverpool in a fortnight.

The German No 1 missed the weekend clash with Bayer Leverkusen and is also a doubt for their cup clash with Hertha Berlin on Wednesday.

Sven Ulreich deputised in his place, and admitted his team-mate was suffering from a problem with his thumb known as ‘skier’s thumb’.

Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer this week

Back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich revealed that Neuer's thumb is 'really fat' over the weekend

Back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich revealed that Neuer’s thumb is ‘really fat’ over the weekend

WHAT IS SKIER’S THUMB? 

A sprained thumb occurs when the ligaments that support the thumb stretch beyond their limits or tear. 

This usually happens when a strong force bends the thumb backwards, away from the palm of the hand.

Most thumb sprains involve the ulnar collateral ligament, which is located on the inside of the knuckle joint. A tear to this ligament can be painful and may make your thumb feel unstable.

Treatment for a sprained thumb usually involves wearing a splint or cast to keep the thumb from moving while the ligament heals.

For more severe sprains, surgery may be needed to restore stability to the joint.

 

‘The thumb (Neuer’s) is really fat, but in one or two days things should look different and he could be able to play,’ said Ulreich, after the 3-1 defeat on Saturday, his first game for seven months.

‘Of course, I was happy to be able to play again, but it was bitter news for Manuel.’

Neuer has suffered a ‘blemish on the right hand’, and could be out for three months if the ligament is torn, according to SportBild.

The club are monitoring the situation and expect to discover the severity of the injury this week.

They claim that he had an X-ray on Sunday and trained with a solid plastic rail around his thumb over the weekend.

Ulreich was an ever-present for Bayern last season as Neuer was reduced to only four appearances with a recurring foot injury.

Bayern go to Anfield on February 19 before hosting Liverpool at the Allianz Arena in the return leg on March 13.

Defeat at the weekend leaves Bayern third in the Bundesliga, seven points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund. 

Neuer is suffering from 'skier's thumb' and could be out long-term if he requires surgery

Neuer is suffering from ‘skier’s thumb’ and could be out long-term if he requires surgery

The injury serves as another headache for Nico Kovac ahead of the showdown with Liverpool

The injury serves as another headache for Nico Kovac ahead of the showdown with Liverpool

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