Robben to miss Champions League quarter-finals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-28 10:09

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben will miss next month's Champions league quarter-final matches against Bayern Munich after straining ankle ligaments playing for the Netherlands.

Robben sustained the injury to his left ankle after 25 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Romania and also misses Wednesday's Group One match at home to Armenia.

"It's definite that I won't play against Armenia but also the Champions league matches against Bayern Munich," 21-year-old Robben said in a statement from the Dutch FA on Sunday.

Robben had only just returned to action after breaking two bones in the same foot and was making his first start for seven weeks after a substitute appearance for his club a week ago.

Chelsea face Bayern at home on April 6 and in Munich six days later. Robben will also miss the Premier League games at Southampton on April 2 and home to Birmingham City on April 9.

Chelsea, who are top of the standings, face champions Arsenal in their next match after that on April 20.

An MRI scan on Sunday showed Robben had strained ligaments rather than the calf injury initially feared. He will stay with the Dutch squad in Noordwijk, 20-km north of The Hague, until he has another medical examination at the local hospital.

Robben was injured when he jumped to avoid clashing with Romania's Bogdan Lobont as the keeper came out to clear.

The Netherlands, who top Group One, are already without AZ Alkmaar winger Martijn Meerdink who tore knee ligaments on Thursday.

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