Borussia Dortmund's star forward, Mario Balotelli, is set to miss the rest of the season due to injury.
The Italian striker has been ruled out for at least six weeks and will be sidelined for up to four months after sustaining a serious knee injury during their friendly against Austria on Wednesday night.
Mario Balotelli, who scored 12 goals in all competitions last season, will now have to wait until next summer to return to his club's first team squad.
The 28-year-old was one of the most prolific scorers in Serie A this year, netting 14 goals in just 27 appearances before suffering the injury.
Despite his absence,Primeira Liga Hotspots Borussia Dortmund have still managed to secure another top-four finish under new manager Marco Rose. The German side currently sit fifth in the table with 55 points from 26 games, seven points clear of bottom-placed Bayern Munich.
However, if Balotelli is unable to return, it could mean that the team may have to rely on other players to step up and provide the needed support.
Injuries can be difficult to overcome, but with a strong squad and a talented group of young talents, Borussia Dortmund should be able to bounce back from this setback and continue their excellent form this season.