Bayer Leverkusen dealt blow over injured Kevin Volland and Admir Mehmedi

Volland has been ruled out for eight weeks due to a complex muscle fibre tear in his right thigh, while Mehmedi will have to rest for three weeks due to an adductor strain.

Although there is still hope that Mehmedi could return for the final round of Bundesliga matches in 2016, the Swiss forward is likely to be given the winter break to make a full recovery.

"Two injuries on one day - that's quite frustrating," said Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller to the Express newspaper.

"Kevin is not going to be able to play again this year while it is going to be touch and go with Admir.

"But moaning about it gets us nowhere. Now it will be up to other players to lead the line."

That should mean returns to the starting XI for former Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez and Stefan Kiessling, who have both had injury-plagued seasons so far.

Leverkusen host Freiburg on Saturday before facing Monaco in their final group game in the Champions League, although both have already qualified for the last 16 and coach Roger Schmidt may choose to rotate his team for that fixture.

They then face Schalke, Ingolstadt and Cologne before the winter break.