Season over for Junior Malanda
Wolfsburg - Junior Malanda's season is over after he picked up a knee injury during VfL Wolfsburg's in the DFB Cup on Tuesday night.
Back for pre-season
The has suffered sprained and partially torn ligaments in his right knee, although fortunately the damage did not extend to his cruciate ligament.
Nevertheless, he will be out for between six and eight weeks, ending his season prematurely. "He's been lucky in that it's not the cruciate, which we feared, but it's still unfortunate for him," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking. "It's a pity, but at least he will be fighting fit for the start of pre-season."
Malanda, who joined the Wolves from SV Zulte Waregem last summer, picked up the injury in a collision with Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the 81st minute of the Wolves' Cup semi-final at Signal Iduna Park. "He was one of our most active players," Hecking continued. "He's a young lad but he showed that he's already capable to assume the responsibility."
No World Cup
After spending the first half of the season back on loan at Zulte Waregem, Malanda has quickly established his place in the Wolfsburg team in the New Year, making seven appearances and scoring twice as the club bid for a place in Europe next season. That can now only be achieved via the Bundesliga following Tuesday night's cup elimination.
Malanda has represented his country up to under-21 level and had been touted as a potential newcomer to the senior national team for this summer's FIFA World Cup. This injury brings an end to any lingering hopes he may have had of joining team-mate on a flight to Brazil this summer.
