Leverkusen's Hofmann sidelined until 2025

Bayer Leverkusen winger Jonas Hofmann has been ruled out for the remainder of 2024 with a thigh injury, the club announced on Saturday.

"The attacker suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in yesterday's final training session," the defending league and cup champions said in a statement.

"Hofmann is expected to return to the squad in the beginning of January."

The injury will compound coach Xabi Alonso's woes in the forward line, with centre-forward Victor Boniface on Friday ruled out for several games with a muscle injury.

Hofmann joined Leverkusen in 2023 after seven seasons at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The 32-year-old scored eight goals in all competitions as Leverkusen completed an unbeaten league and cup double, along with a run to the Europa League final where they lost to Atalanta.

This season, Hofmann has two goals in eight games in all competitions.

Hofmann scored four goals in 23 appearances for Germany, having last played in 2023.