Lahm out

Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm has been ruled out of action until at least the New Year after fracturing his ankle at training on Tuesday.

Lahm, who retired from international football after the World Cup, has very rarely been sidelined for a serious period of time, having only suffered two previous injuries that have kept him out of the team for a few months.

Questioned by reporters as he left the medical practice of Bayern Munich's team doctor on Thursday on crutches, Lahm said that he "didn't want to say anything about it today." It's clear though, the injury has schocked Lahm and his team.

Previously, the 31-year-old had only suffered foot and knee injuries when on loan at Stuttgart. If Lahm misses up to 10 league matches, which is considered likely, that will be his longest period out of the Bayern team in his last nine years at the club.

Champions League return?

Lahm should be back for when Bayern prepare to compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Germany will close for a domestic winter break from December 21 until January 31 when Lahm should be set to return to full-training.

Pep Guardiola was already beginning to struggle to pick a strong midfield with Thiago, David Alaba and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the treatment table.

Guardiola's problems could be the break 19-year-old Dane Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was hoping for. The young midfielder told German football magazine "Kicker" recently that he "might need to find a new path" after finding it tough to break into the first-team.

rd/al (sid, dpa)