Football: Bayer Leverkusen striker Sidney Sam ruled out of Manchester United game

BERLIN (REUTERS) - Bayer Leverkusen forward Sidney Sam has been ruled out of the Champions League Group A match against Manchester United next week after suffering a thigh muscle injury in the 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The in-form Germany international, who has scored seven league goals and set up another five this season, underwent tests on Sunday morning after picking up the injury early in the game.

"His absence is very bad news for us," said Leverkusen sports director Rudi Voeller. "This is the game of games for us in the Champions League, so we have to put everything we have in it even without Sam."

Leverkusen, second in the German Bundesliga, are also second in their Champions League group, a point behind leaders United, who have eight. Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, in third, have five points while Real Sociedad are bottom on one.

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