Long absence looms

Torn collateral ligament! New defensive worries for Austria

Vienna's Austria will be without Johannes Handl for the start of the new Bundesliga season!

The 26-year-old central defender, a key player for the Violets in the pre-season, tore a collateral ligament in his right knee during training without any outside influence. Austria have left it open as to how long Handl will be out for. The defender will initially undergo conservative treatment with a splint and will not undergo surgery.

Shoulder dislocation for Florian Wustinger
Florian Wustinger will have to take a longer break. According to Austria, the midfielder suffered a shoulder dislocation with cartilage damage and a rupture of the biceps tendon during training with second division cooperation club SV Stripfing. Wustinger has already undergone surgery and will be out for several months.

His regular club will start the season in a week's time on Thursday (July 25) with the first leg of the second round of Conference League qualifying. Before that, Austria have one last home test against FC Porto on Friday (7pm).