Dortmund's Bender sidelined with ankle injury

Sven Bender is facing a stint on the sidelines after going down with an ankle injury during Borussia Dortmund's final tune-up match before the Bundesliga resumes.

The German midfielder limped off the pitch Tuesday during Dortmund's 6-1 victory over Paderborn after 11 minutes with an injury that manager Thomas Tuchel fears could be serious.

"It doesn't look good. His ankle swelled up straight away," Tuchel revealed to reporters, according to Stephan Uersfeld of ESPNFC.

"I am guessing now, but it looks like a capsular or ligament injury at least."

The 27-year-old, who missed the opening months of the season after suffering an injury with Germany's Olympic squad, was taken to hospital following Paderborn forward Sven Michel's heavy challenge.

"I hope that it won't be a long-term injury, but when Manni (Bender) screams in pain, then it is not a good sign," teammate Marcel Schmelzer said.

"We will probably have to do without him for a few weeks."

Bender was forced to miss almost 20 matches when he returned to Dortmund with a foot injury following his time at the Rio Olympics, where Germany fell to host Brazil in the final following a tight penalty shootout.