Sturm lose Kiteishvili for several weeks with calf injury

SK Sturm Graz will be without key player Otar Kiteishvili for several weeks after he suffered a calf injury, ORF reported. An MRI scan confirmed the injury on Tuesday.

The Georgian was hurt in Friday’s Nations League match against Hungary and had to leave the pitch early. He is likely to miss Sturm’s match against Austria Vienna on Saturday, its Europa League game away to Bournemouth and the Graz derby against GAK.

Kiteishvili has begun rehabilitation. Sporting director Michael Parensen said the club had been gradually increasing his workload in recent weeks, but its recommendations about his playing time with the national team had not been followed. Sturm will draw up a detailed plan with Kiteishvili and its medical department for the coming weeks.