Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara faces another operation after tearing the medial ligament in his right knee for the second time, the German champions confirmed on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Spain star, who was working his way back to fitness, injured his right knee again on Tuesday in training and will be out indefinitely following surgery.
Thiago initially tore the ligament in his right knee in March, then needed an operation to repair the injury in May, but Bayern had recently announced that he had returned to training.
"What can I say? Of course, I am at the moment profoundly disappointed and pretty desperate. Why is it always me?" Thiago told the FCBayern.de website.
"But I will not give up, I will fight again and my turn will come again."
Bayern are four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga despite the absence of several leading players due to injury.
Thiago, who has won five caps for Spain, has made just 16 appearances in Germany's top flight since joining from Barcelona in July 2013.
"We are all very shocked and saddened about this new injury," said Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer.
There is some good news for Bayern, however, with France winger Franck Ribery set to return to full training with the ball this week, although no date has yet been set for his return to playing after injuring his left knee.
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola also has no date yet when the likes of defender Holger Badstuber, Spain defender-cum-midfielder Javi Martinez and Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will return from long-term injuries.
Source: AFP