Bayern Munich are set to be without Thiago Alcantara for 'a few weeks' after the infuential midfielder suffered an ankle ligament injury.
The Spanish international limped out of the German giants' DFB-Pokal win over Rodinghausen on Tuesday, adding to injury worries for manager Niko Kovac.
And it has been confirmed on the club's official website that he has torn the 'front outer ligament and the joint capsule in his right ankle'.
Corentin Tolisso's knee injury had already left Bayern thin in midfield and the loss off Thiago, who had become a crucial presence for Kovac, is a blow.
The former Barcelona man, 27, who has played in 14 out of 15 competitive games this season, was replaced on Tuesday night in the 75th minute after being fouled.
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And Kovac, who was under pressure last month after a run of four games without a win, admitted the injury "doesn't look good".
"I hope it is not that bad," said the Bayern boss after the match. "He's in a lot of pain right now."
Bayern, second in the Bundesliga after nine matches, have had injury problems all season with Tolisso, Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Arjen Robben, Jerome Boateng, Rafinha, Mats Hummels and Franck Ribery all absent at times.
Bayern host Freiburg in Bundesliga action on Saturday.