Soccer Gladbach's Itakura to undergo ankle surgery, doubtful for Japan matches

BERLIN : Borussia Moenchengladbach and Japan defender Ko Itakura will undergo surgery for an injured ankle and will be sidelined for several weeks, the Bundesliga club said on Thursday, making him doubtful for his country's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Itakura will go under the knife on Friday because of a nagging ankle injury and looks unlikely to be fit for country's World Cup second round qualifiers on Nov. 16 against Myanmar and against Syria five days later.

The 26-year-old had played in Japan's most recent game, a 2-0 win over Tunisia on Oct. 17.

"He will not be available for the club for the next few weeks," Gladbach said in a statement.

The Foals are in 13th place in the Bundesliga on six points from eight matches.