Dortmund's Bender out with double jaw fracture
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Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender suffered a double jaw fracture Wednesday in a Champions League match, and has already undergone surgery that will sideline him at least until January.
Bender suffered the injury in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal when Thomas Vermaelen drove his foot directly into the face of the Germany international just 25 minutes into the match.
The 22-year-old Bender was immediately taken to the hospital and was forced to have a three-hour operation where two metal plates were used to stabilize the jaw.
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Bender also suffered medial collateral ligament damage in his knee, and should miss at least six weeks. Dortmund teammate Mats Hummels missed six weeks with a single jaw break last year.
Dortmund is second in the Bundesliga, two points behind Bayern Munich after a win against its rival last weekend, and could be without Bender for just four league matches. The Bundesliga goes on winter break from mid-December to mid- January.