The loss of the 19-year-old midfielder is a big setback for the defending Bundesliga champions, who are in a three-team tie with Bayern Munich and Schalke at the top of the standings.

Dortmund thrashed Hamburger SV 5-1 without Goetze at the weekend to start the second half of the season.

The club says Goetze requires two weeks rest before he can start rehab due to a “stress reaction” and “overload” in the pubic bone.

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