Hamstrung Shaqiri set for six-week layoff
Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri is set to miss the next six weeks of action after tearing his right hamstring on international duty.
The 22-year-old was forced off after 53 minutes of Switzerland's FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with Albania on Friday, which the Swiss won 2-1 to seal their place at Brazil 2014.
He returned to Germany for tests and is now set for a spell on the sidelines, to his great frustration.
He told Bayern's official website: "The diagnosis is bitter. I'm disappointed, but I will try to be fit again as fast as possible.
"I have had this injury before in the left hamstring. On that occasion I recovered relatively quickly. I hope I will again.
"I had a super week. First, our strong performance in Leverkusen, as the coach (Pep Guardiola) played me from the beginning, and then the World Cup qualifiers with Switzerland.
"I was in good shape. And now, it's a pity. But I am already looking forward. I'll be back soon."
Shaqiri has made 12 appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season, scoring twice.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
‘Even though it was late in the game, the Arsenal fans started singing my name. It felt like the moment I announced myself as a professional footballer’: Ex-Gunners star recalls scoring first senior goal as a teenager at Highbury
'I started to drive myself crazy': Former Manchester United midfielder explains why it all went wrong for him under Erik ten Hag