Mainz 05 could be without key defender Kohr for up to three months after he suffered a syndesmotic ligament injury, according to Bild.
The news comes shortly after Mainz began their season with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Paderborn. The club’s opening fixture produced no goals, but the injury to Kohr has increased the problems facing manager Fischer ahead of the matches to come.
Bild reports that Kohr’s injury may require surgery, although a final decision has not been confirmed. Even without an operation, the defender could be sidelined for an extended period, with his absence potentially lasting as long as three months.
Kohr has been described as a cornerstone of the Mainz 05 defence, making the injury a significant setback for Fischer. His expected absence removes an experienced option from the centre-back position at a time when the team has just started its campaign.
The draw with Paderborn was already an underwhelming opening result for Mainz 05. The club failed to find a way through during a match that ended goalless, and the loss of Kohr now adds a more serious concern beyond the result itself.
Fischer does, however, have several other options available at centre-back. Those alternatives may now be required to take on greater responsibility while Kohr begins his recovery. The extent to which they can cover his absence will become clearer as Mainz 05 continues the season.
For Kohr, the immediate priority will be treatment and rehabilitation. The possibility of surgery means the precise timetable for his return remains uncertain, while the reported three-month lay-off provides an indication of the seriousness of the injury.
Mainz 05 will therefore have to prepare for a prolonged period without one of their most important defensive players. The club’s next steps will include managing Kohr’s recovery and deciding how best to use the centre-back options still available to Fischer.
The report has added a further negative development to a difficult start for Mainz 05. After the stalemate with Paderborn, the team now faces the prospect of competing without Kohr for a substantial part of the campaign.
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