Jens Nowotny admits he is dismayed by Bayer Leverkusen’s decision to prevent him from playing for the club while he purses a court case against them.
The 31-year-old defender is seeking six months pay, rather than the six weeks he is legally entitled to, after he was sidelined in February with torn knee ligaments. He lost the original case but is appealing that decision.
Bayer warned Nowotny not to appeal and as a result he has been told he will not be selected by the club.
“I can look in the mirror because I just stuck up for my rights,” explained Nowotny. “Now I just need to train, train, train and get my fitness up.”
Nowotny, capped 45 times by Germany, will be allowed to train with his team-mates and receive medical assistance from the club, but he will be unable to play in any competitive matches.
