Javier Hernandez ruled out for two weeks after fracturing hand falling down the stairs

JAVIER HERNANDEZ has been ruled out for two weeks after falling down the stairs in his apartment.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker will miss the start of the Bundesliga season after fracturing his hand in the incident.

The German giants confirmed the ex-Manchester United forward – who is known as Chicharito – will be out for “at least two weeks”.

Leverkusen said in a statement: “Chicharito suffered a fall down the stairs of his apartment on Monday night and has fractured a bone in his right hand.

“The Mexican was successfully operated on on Tuesday.”

The 28-year-old star has already scored once for Leverkusen this season, hitting the opener in the club’s 2-1 DFB Pokal Cup match at SC Hauenstein.

Hernandez was a big success during his debut season at the club, netting 26 times in all competitions for his new side following a £7.3million move from United.

The forward had a busy summer playing for Mexico in the Copa America but only managed one goal in four games until they were brutally dumped out of the competition 7-0 by Chile.

Leverkusen have further problems ahead of their Bundesliga bow at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday as their captain Lars Bender is also out for around two weeks.

The German outfit added in a statement: “For Saturday’s Bundesliga season-opener at Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayer will be without Lars Bender and Chicharito.

“Captain Bender came off in the Olympic final when playing for Germany against Brazil due to an ankle injury. He had an MRI scan on Tuesday morning.”

Hernandez was somewhat of a super-sub for United, often coming off the bench to grab important goals for the Red Devils.

The Mexican star managed 37 goals in 103 appearances, but 54 of those were from the bench, after signing from C.D. Guadalajara in 2010.