Scherpen operated on

Shock! Sturm without the “giant” against Spain

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

This is not good news for Sturm ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Girona. Regular goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen has to undergo knee surgery (again).

The tall, 2.06-meter Dutch goalkeeper will undergo a planned operation on his knee. Scherpen will therefore be out for the remaining four games before the winter break, but will return to training in January as planned and be available for the first competitive games of 2025. However, the giant, who has already undergone surgery at the end of 2023 due to a torn cruciate ligament in his knee, will at least be spared a longer break this time.

Khudyakov steps in
"After Scherpen's knee operation last year, the plan was always to carry out a minimally invasive procedure for minor corrections," said neo-sports director Parensen. "In consultation with Kjell's home club Brighton, we will now bring forward this date - originally scheduled for the beginning of December - to ensure that Kjell is fully available to us again in January. Daniil Khudyakov, who enjoys our full confidence, will keep goal until the winter break."