Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez is expected to miss the next three weeks of the season after learning that he will need groin surgery.
The 25-year-old, who has been troubled with the injury all summer, is expected to undergo the knife before the end of the week.
"I don't have any problems when I play 20 to 30 minutes but that's when it's getting painful again," he told reporters at a press conference.
Martinez appeared as a substitute in Bayern's UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea last week.
