Hamburg midfielder Ze Roberto will spend the next 10 days on crutches after tearing ankle ligaments in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hanover.

The injury was confirmed by the Bundesliga club today after tests were carried out last night. The Brazilian, who has shone in the early stages of the season, will also have to wear a plaster cast and is not likely to return to action for several weeks, possibly not even until the new year.

"Ze will have to wear a plaster cast for the coming ten days to allow the foot to heal," said the club's doctor Oliver Dierk.

Ze Roberto played the full 90 minutes on Sunday, although he was clearly not feeling as comfortable as he has been in previous games, in which he had scored five goals and created a further four.