Ribery doubt for season start

France winger Franck Ribery is set to miss the start of Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga season after undergoing surgery on torn ligaments above his ankle.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury early in his France’s 2-0 loss to Italy on Tuesday, a result which saw them eliminated from Euro 2008.

It was initially feared Ribery had broken his leg, but subsequent scans revealed ligament damage and he now faces surgery and up to two months on the sidelines.

“It is very regrettable that Franck has injured himself at the European Championships,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the club’s website.

“However, we are happy that the severe initial diagnosis has not been confirmed.”