Mario Gotze out for up to 12 weeks with muscle injury

Mario Gotze will be out for between 10 and 12 weeks after picking up an injury on international duty with Germany, Bayern Munich have confirmed.

Gotze limped off midway through the first half of Germany's 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, after appearing to pull a muscle during a battle for possession with Everton's James McCarthy.

In a statement, Bayern confirmed the 23-year-old had ruptured an adductor muscle in his groin. He will be treated by Germany's team doctors before returning to his club.

Gotze now faces a race to be back in action before the Bundesliga's winter break in December - while he is certain to miss Bayern's two Champions League clashes withArsenal.

Germany's Mario Gotze lies in pain - Reuters

"Mario has picked up a tendon rupture in his thigh after making a lunge," said Germany team doctor Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.

"It's annoying for us and a real shame for him," added national team coach Joachim Löw.

"We wish him a good and speedy recovery and I'm sure he will be able to pick up his form again once he returns."

Bayern's final Bundesliga match before the winter break is against Hannover on December 19 - 10 weeks away.