Van Gaal: No surgery for Ribery

BAYERN MUNICH forward Franck Ribery will not need an operation to cure a recurring knee problem, the club’s coach Louis van Gaal confirmed yesterday.

It had been feared earlier this week that the France international may have to go under the knife, causing an absence of up to four months.

But instead, more conservative methods will be employed in a bid to get the 26-year-old back on the field before Christmas.