Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Stuttgart's Daniel Ginczek to miss rest of 2015 with operation on slipped disc

Stuttgart forward Daniel Ginczek will miss the rest of 2015 after being told he needs an operation on his back.

Ginczek, 24, suffered a slipped disc prior to the Swabians' 2-2 draw at Hoffenheim on Oct. 3 in their last Bundesliga fixture before the international break.

According to a statement on the Bundesliga club's website, the "sporting management discussed possible methods of treatment with the player, the club's medical department as well as with external experts in recent days," leading to the conclusion that the forward needed to go under the knife.

That operation is due to take place in Munich on Friday and, as a result, he will miss the remainder of the first half of the season, returning only for training towards the end of the winter break in January.

"Stuttgart would like to wish our player a successful operation and subsequently a speedy recovery!" wrote the Baden-Wurttemburg club.

Ginczek's teammate Emiliano Insua also tweeted: "Be strong Daniel! You will come back stronger!!"

Stuttgart had high hopes for Ginczek this season and he was expected to be their No. 1 striker, but the 24-year-old has found the back of the net just three times in seven games.

Vedad Ibisevic, who was sold to Hertha Berlin, has scored four in five for the capital club, while Stuttgart are propping up the rest of the division with four points from their first eight matches.

Stuttgart coach Alexander Zorniger has been given a vote of confidence by the club following their nightmare start to the season.

Zorniger's side play host to Ingolstadt on Sunday evening and will be hoping to bring an end to the Bavarians' unbeaten away record since gaining promotion to the Bundesliga, while picking up their first win at the Mercedes-Benz Arena this season after four straight defeats.

In the absence of Ginczek, Germany under-21 international Timo Werner is set to be given more game time.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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