Hertha Berlin forward Julian Schieber may miss the rest of the season after damaging cartilage in his left knee, according to reports.
The 26-year-old aggravated his knee during training last week, missing the clash with Augsburg at the weekend as tests were carried out.
Although he may get away without an operation, he nevertheless faces the prospect of several months on the sidelines.
"We're going to perform some more tests at the start of the week," general manager Michael Preetz told Kicker magazine. "Then we'll decide what course of action to take."
Those tests can only be performed once the swelling in the knee has subsided.
"We're going to try to get away without performing an arthroscopy," said club doctor Ulrich Schleicher. "We hope we can treat it conservatively."
Schieber is Hertha's top scorer so far this season with seven goals to his name, but the prospect of an operation being required means he may not be able to add to that this term.
"If that is the case, then we would have to presume that Julian will not play against this season," added Schleicher.