Pepe Reina Injury: Updates on Bayern Munich Star's Calf and Return

Pepe Reina is yet to play a competitive game for Bayern Munich, but the Spanish goalkeeper has been ruled out of action for the foreseeable future with a serious calf injury.

The news was reported by the Bavarian side's official Twitter account:

Reina joined the Bundesliga champions during the summer after spending eight years with Liverpool. The experienced stopper joined Napoli on loan last season, where he played under former Reds boss Rafa Benitez. He is yet to make much of an impression in Germany, despite his proven quality.

Nicholas McGee of Goal.com reported that Reina's injury was sustained during a friendly encounter with a Paulaner "dream team," which was made up entirely of amateurs. Bayern won 5-1, but Reina faces a spell of recovery which could significantly affect the team if anything happens to Manuel Neuer during the international break.

Bayern tweeted an image of the player being helped off:

While a major plus that Bayern's next competitive game isn't until Oct. 18, it's unlikely Reina would have featured against Werder Bremen anyway. Tom Starke is more than capable of filling the No. 2 slot and being brought into the action if needed, such is the depth of Pep Guardiola's squad.

Neuer is arguably the world's greatest keeper and has conceded just two Bundesliga goals in seven games this season, per WhoScored.com.

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

The stopper is yet to see his net ripple after two Champions League matches and represents an undroppable colossus in Guardiola's line-up. Neuer's confidence, assertiveness and sheer power was there for all to see at the World Cup, as he effortlessly swept up behind his defence.

Reina was brought in to ensure Bayern possess plenty of top-quality options no matter the situation. Similar to when former Liverpool team-mate Jerzy Dudek joined Real Madrid, he may be destined to see out the latter years of his career on the bench.

Bayern's willingness to snap Reina up certainly says a lot about the player. His presence is somewhat needed at Liverpool, where he could improve on the questionable displays of Simon Mignolet, whose all-round game needs an added dose of aggression.

A quality keeper when fit, Reina's injury is unlikely to see Bayern stretched in the coming weeks. Neuer's an immovable starter in the side and will only see his playing time shortened through injury or suspension, meaning Reina can complete a full recovery without worrying about the urgent need to return.