Frings get better for injured German star

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings shoots the ball during their Euro 2008 qualifier match against San Marino 02 June 2007 in Nuremberg, southern Germany. German coach Joachim Loew has admitted his side has been dealt a blow ahead of key Euro 2008 qualifying games after Frings' suffered a serious knee injury.

German midfielder Torsten Frings was a relieved man on Wednesday night after discovering his knee ligament injury was only a strain - not a tear as first feared.

Initially, the German media were full of reports the 30-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder was set to miss months of the new season after injuring his right knee in Tuesday night's pre-season friendly against Paderborn.

But a scan has shown there is no tear, only strained ligaments.

It is now hoped Frings will only be out for the next six weeks, but still faces a race against time to be fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Wales and the Republic of Ireland in September.

And he is almost certain to miss Germany's friendly with England on August 22 at the new Wembley.

But Frings was delighted when he heard his injury was not as bad as thought, late on Wednesday afternoon.

"I am totally relieved after hearing these new results," he said.

"It is still extremely annoying that I am injured, just before the season starts, but if nothing is torn, then it makes life so much easier."

German coach Joachim Loew was also relieved to hear the news.

"I am really glad that Torsten Frings will only be out for a certain time and his injury is not serious. He has been irreplaceable for us in the last year," said Loew.

Having spent most of Wednesday with long faces, Bremen's manager Klaus Allofs and coach Thomas Schaaf were both relieved to hear the news.

"Having heard initially that our worst fears were confirmed, with all the evidence pointing to Torsten having torn his cruciate ligament, this is naturally very good news," said Allofs.

"The immediate loss of Torsten is still a blow to the team, but this is a much better situation."

And Schaaf was just as relieved.

"After a day of bad news, it's nice to get something pleasing. Most of all, I am pleased for Torsten that his injury isn't as bad as we thought."