Werder Bremen have been dealt a big setback ahead of the new Bundesliga season, as Olivier Deman has been ruled out long term. The Green-Whites confirmed on Thursday that the Belgian left-back has suffered a broken ankle that will keep him out for several months.

Werder head coach Horst Steffen expressed his sympathy after Deman’s surgery on Thursday, saying: “I’m really sad for Olivier. He had just started to find some real form. We will now give him all the support he needs to ensure his recovery goes as well as it can and so that he can get back to action as soon as possible.”

Werder begin their Bundesliga campaign against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.