“Hamit Altintop out until 2009”

Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop is unlikely to make another appearance before 2009. This was announced by manager Jürgen Klinsmann on Friday.

Altintop fractured his metatarsus six months ago but recovered in time to represent the Turkish national team at Euro 2008.

But the injury returned in August, and the player has been able to spend only 64 minutes on the pitch this season.

Klinsmann revealed that Altintop needs surgery to correct the injury. It will be the second operation within a month time for the 25-year-old.