Cruciate ligament injury sidelines Rasmus Lauge for seven months

German national champions THW Kiel will have to enter their VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 encounter against Motor Zaporozhye (20 & 30 March) without Danish international Rasmus Lauge.

The 20-year-old centre back sustained a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee that will sideline him for at least seven months.

Lauge was injured in the 44th minute of Kiel's Bundesliga match against MT Melsungen (29:30) on Saturday.

"That's tragic," THW Kiel Manager Klaus Elwardt was quoted on on the club's website.

"I'm so sorry for Rasmus. After he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, he missed the EURO on home court.

"He has been working hard for his comeback and was just on his way to become an important figure in the team again.

"The entire THW Kiel wishes him a good recovery."