Benedikt Howedes Injury: Updates on Schalke Star's Groin and Return

Schalke 04's hopes of scoring an upset win over Chelsea in Week 1 of the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League took a massive blow on Tuesday, as star defender Benedikt Howedes was forced to stay in Germany with a partial groin tear.     

The club confirmed the news via Twitter:

The Germany international joins Joel Matip and Felipe Santana on the sidelines, as Schalke will travel to London with their top defensive players all out for Wednesday's fixture.

Howedes was a regular starter for the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, and the 26-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga.

Die Mannschaft used him as a left-back in Brazil, but he plays centre-back for Schalke, running the team's defence. He was paired with 19-year-old Kaan Ayhan on Saturday, as Schalke were overrun by Borussia Monchengladbach, losing 4-1.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Eighteen-year-old Marvin Friedrich is expected to partner Ayhan on Wednesday, although Jan Kirchhoff also travelled with the team to London.

Ayhan and Friedrich are both highly touted youngsters, but neither has any real experience on the highest level. Going up against an in-form Diego Costa, this spells trouble for the Gelsenkirchen outfit.

Chelsea have scored 15 goals in their first four Premier League matches and have yet to drop a point.