Thomas Broich out until February after ankle surgery

Sydney: German playmaker Thomas Broich will not return for A-League champions Brisbane Roar until February after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his injured right ankle, his club said Thursday.

Broich, 33, missed the Roar`s 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday to undergo the surgery, which the Roar said went well.

Two-time A-League player of the year Broich will now spend at least six weeks on the sidelines, and is planning a return to the field in a February 2 match against Wellington Phoenix in Brisbane.

The Roar said the league`s hiatus throughout most of January due to the Asian Cup will benefit Broich`s recovery from ankle surgery.

The decision for the influential Broich to have surgery was taken with one eye on the club`s AFC Champions League commitments towards the back end of the A-League campaign, the club said.