Union Berlin striker Joel Pohjanpalo has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after picking up an ankle injury, the club have confirmed. The 26-year-old, who is on loan from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen, picked up his injury while on international duty with Finland.
Joel Pohjanpalo Ruled Out For the Long Term
Injury on International Duty
On loan from Bayer Leverkusen, Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo has already netted twice for Union Berlin. But now, the 26-year-old looks like he could miss the majority of the season with an ankle injury.
The striker picked up the injury during Finland’s Nations League tie against Bulgaria. Finland won the game 2-1, resulting in qualification with one game still to play. However, Pohjanpalo picked up his injury just after the half-hour mark and was replaced by Brentford forward, Marcus Forss.
Pohjanpalo hasn’t scored for Finland since a 4-1 defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina back in October, 2019.
Finland, who also beat France in an international friendly last week, take on group leaders Wales on Wednesday night. Pohjanpalo was an unused substitute against Les Blues and won’t play a part against Wales.
Back to Union
Pohjanpalo has netted two goals from five Bundesliga games for Union this season. Although they have several other forwards capable of scoring the goals, the injury will be a major blow for Urs Fischer and his side.
Union sit fifth in the Bundesliga with 12 points from their opening seven league games in what has been a promising start for the Köpernick club.
But, as has been an argument across many leagues this season, domestic managers will be questioning the need for international fixtures when the league seasons are already congested.
Many players are picking up injuries from their international fixtures and it is affecting their club results. Union will be hopeful that the absence of Pohjanpalo won’t be a major blow when they return to league action against Köln on Sunday.
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