Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender Lukas Sinkiewicz is unlikely to play again until 2009 after tearing cruciate ligaments in his left knee during last weekend's 2-1 Bundesliga win at FC Hansa Rostock.

The 22-year old defender will be out for about six months after playing 19 league matches this season for Bayer. Capped three times by Germany, he joined Leverkusen from 1. FC Köln in summer 2007.