Mainz midfielder Eric Martel sidelined with knee ligament injury

The summer arrival from 1.FC Köln had to be substituted abruptly after injuring himself in a friendly test match.

Photo: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images.

FSV Mainz 05 have confirmed via a statement on their website that summer signing Eric Martel could be sidelined indefinitely.

Martel suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee during yesterday's friendly against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

This diagnosis was confirmed by initial imaging studies after the midfielder was brought to the local hospital in Kufstein. 

As a result of the injury setback, Mainz are therefore speculating that Martel will be unavailable for the next few weeks.

The recovery time depends on the individual healing process, with most recoveries taking anywhere from two weeks to three months.

Martel will remain with the team at their training camp in Hopfgarten and will travel back to Mainz with the team next Wednesday.