Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack faces a six-week injury lay-off after picking up a micro-fracture in his left shin yesterday.
The Germany international lasted only half an hour of Leverkusen's 2-2 draw with Hanover yesterday after injuring his leg in a challenge with Sergio Pinto.
He appeared confident yesterday evening when he said the injury was nothing dramatic, but tests this morning have confirmed he has picked up a micro-fracture at the upper end of his left shin and that he will need a break of up to six weeks to recover.