Assaulted Kadlec requires surgery

Bayer Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec is set to undergo surgery on a broken nose on Monday after being assaulted on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was approached by two people claiming to be fans of rivals Cologne when he left a night club with his girlfriend following their 1-0 win at Hoffenheim They reportedly verbally abused him before hitting him in the face and the Czech republic defender now requires an operation to fix his nose. However he is confident of being fit to face Hanover 96 next week. "Even with a face mask I want to be there against Hanover," he said in a statement. Cologne police confirmed the attack saying two unnamed men had broken the player's nose. Leverkusen are sixth in the Bundesliga after their win at Hoffenheim on Saturday while Cologne are in the relegation play-off spot after drawing 1-1 with VfB Stuttgart.