S.S. Lazio have confirmed that striker Miroslav Klose will be out of action for "about seven to eight weeks" with the knee injury which forced him off at half-time on Sunday in the 3-2 loss to Genoa CFC.

Klose, who has scored ten goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season, underwent tests this morning which, according to a club statement, showed "damage to the collateral ligament in his right knee". The 34-year-old had already withdrawn from the Germany squad preparing to play France in a friendly on Wednesday.

The news is a severe blow for Lazio coach Vladimir Petković – who is also without midfielder Hernanes for an indefinite period – both in Serie A, where the Biancocelesti are third, and the UEFA Europa League.

The Aquile play VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the last 32, with the first leg in Germany on 14 February and the return a week later at the Stadio Olimpico. The Polish-born forward is also likely to miss, should Lazio progress, the round of 16 tie against VfB Stuttgart or KRC Genk, which takes place on 7 and 14 March. 

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