Bayer Leverkusen suffer Kyriakos Papadopoulos injury blow

Berlin: Bayer Leverkusen will be without Greece defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos for the next three months as they push for an automatic Champions League place for next season.

The 23-year-old needs an operation on Monday after dislocating his left shoulder in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Cologne in the Rhine derby.

The Greece international’s injury leaves Leverkusen short on centre-backs after Bosnia captain Emir Spahic was sacked by the club earlier this month after assaulting a steward.

Leverkusen are battling Borussia Moenchengladbach for third in the Bundesliga for a direct path into the Champions League.

Fourth place means a two-legged play-off to reach Europe’s top domestic competition.

Leverkusen face a tough run in as they host Bayern Munich on Saturday, then Gladbach, mid-table sides Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt before the season ends on May 23.