Bayer Leverkusen star Stefan Reinartz out for three months with eye injury

Stefan Reinartz suffered the injury during Leverkusen’s tie against Schalke.

Berlin, Oct 26 (IANS) Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen will be without defensive midfielder Stefan Reinartz for three months as he fractured his eye socket, the club announced Sunday.

The 25-year-old German, who has earned three international caps since 2010, sustained the injury in Saturday's 1-0 home win over Schalke 04 as his right eye got hit by an elbow of Schalke midfielder Marco Hoeger. Reinartz left the pitch with facial swelling and was taken to hospital, reports Xinhua.

Reinartz is expected to go under the knife and will be sidelined for the next three months.

Leverkusen are currently sitting in fourth place in the standings after nine matches, two points ahead of fifth and sixth placed Mainz and Wolfsburg, both of whom have a match in hand.