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Man Utd and Chelsea suffer huge blow with defensive target set for surgery
STUTTGART have confirmed that Antonio Rudiger will be sidelined for four weeks with a knee problem.
Antonio Rudiger is set for surgery
The German international had been linked with a move to Manchester United or Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid had also been eyeing Rudiger as a replacement for Toby Alderweireld, who has joined Tottenham.
It's a small surgical measure, which does not result in a long period of absence.
But any move would now have to wait until the end of the transfer window after the player suffered a recurrence of a long-standing knee problem.
Rudiger originally injured ligaments in December and spent the next four months rehabilitating.
And Rudiger will again be on the treatment table after Stuttgart confirmed he needed a 'small, arthroscopic intervention'.
Stuttgart sporting director Jochen Schneider said: "It's a small surgical measure, which does not result in a long period of absence.
"All involved parties are in agreement that the players health and a speedy recovery must take top priority."