Leverkusen star Kruse facing lengthy lay-off
Sydney - Bayer 04 Leverkusen attacker Robbie Kruse suffered suspected torn ankle ligaments during Australia's over South Korea.
Injury heartache
The 26-year-old, who featured in each of the Socceroos' six matches to a maiden continental triumph, will learn the full extent of his injury and subsequent lay-off after undergoing further tests on Monday.
After controlling the ball from a throw-in in the 66th minute, Kruse collapsed while attempting to beat two South Korean defenders and was stretchered off the field four minutes later in tears.
Kruse missed last summer's FIFA World Cup after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January 2014 and it was as late as 4 October and Matchday 7's with SC Paderborn 07 that he was fit enough to make a full comeback.
Indeed, Kruse told Australian newspaper Herald Sun prior to the final that he was intending to break into the Werkself side on his return: 'I spoke to my Leverkusen trainer and he said if you go here and play the Asian Cup and have a good tournament, you’re going to be a completely different player when you come back so it’s going to be interesting.'
