Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender is expected to miss an estimated 10 weeks after sustaining a groin injury.
The Germany international came off injured midway through the 3-0 defeat to Hamburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, and the German club discovered the extent of the damage today.
Consequently, the 24-year-old will not exert himself physically over the next six weeks, and club doctor Markus Braun expects a further month-long recovery period.
The news comes as a blow to coach Jurgen Klopp who has already lost Ilkay Gundogan, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Neven Subotic to long-term injuries this term.
