Failures at GAK

The injury devil has struck!

Coach Gernot Messner has to accept the bloodletting

(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Mario Buehner)

Bad news for GAK ahead of the test match against Bundesliga club Austria Klagenfurt on Friday (TZ Weinzödl, 2.30pm). Two midfielders have been hit in training - they have to take a break.

"Markus Rusek tore a ligament in his ankle in training, sighs GAK coach Gernot Messner. The 30-year-old veteran will not be able to play against his former team Klagenfurt, where he was captain. "Fortunately, it's not that bad," says Messner, "but he'll probably be out for the next ten days."

Veteran Markus Rusek (r.) is out after tearing a ligament.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Winter signing Gabriel Zirngast, the son of soccer unionist Gernot Zirngast, is also injured. "He's got an adductor strain," said Messner, "he'll be missing for at least the next week." Postscript: "But there's no complaining, we have a good squad for that!"

Luckily, Christian Lichtenberger is back ahead of the heated away duel with Ried. The 28-year-old, who injured his ankle before the winter break after scoring five goals and providing three assists in the fall, is on his way back and already made a brief appearance in the 1-1 draw against Lafnitz. "We'll see how long he can hold out against Klagenfurt," said Messner.

There were rumors before the test match in Carinthia that GAK were interested in Carinthian defender Michael Sollbauer for the summer. However, this is nothing more than a rumor!