Bayern Munich’s midfielder João Palhinha will be sidelined for Portugal’s forthcoming Nations League matches against Poland and Croatia due to a groin injury.

On Thursday, Bayern announced that Palhinha will return to Munich for additional medical evaluation and treatment. However, the club did not specify the extent of his injury or provide an estimated recovery timeline for the 29-year-old athlete.

Looking ahead, Bayern is scheduled to face Augsburg at home in the Bundesliga on November 22. Following that match, they will host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, and then head to Borussia Dortmund for another Bundesliga fixture just four days later.

Palhinha’s injury opens the door for Leon Goretzka to capitalize on an opportunity to showcase his talent. The former Germany international was anticipated to depart Bayern during the offseason but managed to make his first start of the current season in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over St. Pauli.

Palhinha has had a somewhat delayed start this season, as he initially had to contend with the rising talent of 20-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovi?. Pavlovi? started in six of Bayern’s first seven Bundesliga matches before suffering a broken collarbone during a dominating 4-0 victory against Stuttgart.

Currently, Bayern Munich holds a commanding five-point lead in the Bundesliga standings after ten rounds of play.