Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber has been ruled out for a further six months with a recurrence of a knee ligament injury.

The 24-year-old German international has been sidelined since December but was thought to be nearing a comeback for the Bundesliga champions.

"Holger Badstuber has been in rehab once against and suffered a torn cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, and so has been ruled out for even longer," read an official statement on Bayern's website.

This latest setback means that Badstuber is expected to miss the start of next season under new coach Pep Guardiola.