Dortmund ace Witsel put in intensive care after suffering freak injury at home that left him needing facial surgery

AXEL WITSEL has been ruled out until 2020 after suffering a freak facial injury which left him in intensive care. The Borussia Dortmund star home underwent facial surgery following the domestic incident at his home in Germany. Dortmund coach Lucien Favre said: “We couldn’t talk to him yesterday (Sunday) because he was in intensive care […]

AXEL WITSEL has been ruled out until 2020 after suffering a freak facial injury which left him in intensive care.

The Borussia Dortmund star home underwent facial surgery following the domestic incident at his home in Germany.

EPA

Dortmund coach Lucien Favre said: “We couldn’t talk to him yesterday (Sunday) because he was in intensive care in hospital.

“He won’t be able to play for the rest of the year, but he is already at home.

“It’s a shame for him and us, he’s an important player. Hopefully he is back as soon as possible.”

It is not yet known how Witsel injured himself.

The midfielder, 30, is unlikely to return until 2020.

Belgium international Witsel played in the 5-0 rout of Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday.

Dortmund take on Sparta Prague tomorrow (Tuesday) in their Champions League final group match.

They need to better Inter Milan‘s result against Barcelona at the San Siro to progress to the last 16.

Witsel has played 23 games this season, including all five Champions League matches.

He joined Dortmund in 2018 after a spell in the China Super League with Tianjin Taida.