BLACKBURN defender Markus Babbel has enlisted the help of the man responsible for rescuing Michael Owen's career as he attempts to make a speedy recovery from a worrying thigh injury.

Babbel flew out to Germany this week for a special consultation with Doctor Hans Muller-Wolfhart, the specialist to some of Europe's top sportsmen and women.

The on-loan centre back is facing up to the prospect of a six-week lay-off after tearing his thigh muscle in Sunday's 2-0 home defeat against Fulham.

But Babbel believes Dr Wolfhart can help to aid his recovery after the 61-year-old's controversial treatment methods have benefited a host of top sports stars in the past.

Dr Wolfhart is reknowned throughout the world for his work with elite athletes.

He was the man credited with solving Owen's hamstring problems and other high-profile patients to have sought his advice include England midfielder Steven Gerrard, top sprinters Dwain Chambers and Maurice Greene, and Ryder Cup golfer Jose-Maria Olazabal.

Babbel went to Germany on Monday and spent the rest of the week receiving treatment off Dr Wolfhart in a bid to accelerate the healing process.

"He's the most well known sports medicine doctor in Europe," said Rovers doctor Phil Batty, who accompanied Babbel on the trip.

"He's been the club doctor at Bayern Munich since 1976 and he has a very good record of treating elite athletes.

"He was kind enough to agree to see Markus at very short notice and when we got there, he offered us

both a warm welcome and the highest possible professional courtesy."

Babbel first got to know Dr Wolfhart during his time at Bayern and he has been treated successfully by him on a number of occasions in the past.

However, some of his methods have been criticised by leading sports scientists in England.

Babbel's treatment in Germany is thought to have taken the form of a series of injections but regardless of how well the last few days have gone, the 31-year-old is still expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

"Anything less than six weeks will be a huge bonus at this stage," said Batty.