Werder Bremen central defender Per Mertesacker may miss the UEFA Cup final against Shakhtar Donetsk after damaging ligaments in his right foot.
Werder will also be without playmaker Diego and striker Hugo Almeida who are banned for the May 20 match in Istanbul because of accumulated yellow cards. Both were booked in the 3-2 win over Hamburger SV in Thursday's semifinal.
Mertesacker was injured in a first-half tackle by Hamburg striker Ivica Olic. The defender played on but limped off the field in the second half.
"We have to wait and be patient," Werder's coach Thomas Schaaf said Friday. "We hope that he can still return this season."
Werder is also in the German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen to be played May 30 in Berlin.
On Sunday, Werder and Hamburg clash again, for the fourth time in 19 days, when they play in the Bundesliga.
Werder eliminated Hamburg from the German Cup semifinals and if it wins again Sunday at home, it will likely end Hamburg's chances of winning the Bundesliga. Hamburg is five points behind leader Wolfsburg, with four games to play.
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