Philipp Lahm Injury: Updates on Bayern Munich Star's Status and Return

Bayern Munich and Germany legend Philipp Lahm is facing up to a lengthy rehabilitation programme after having surgery to correct a fractured ankle.

Continue for updates.

Friday, Nov. 21

Guardiola Devastated by Lahm Loss

Pep Guardiola offered his thoughts on Lahm's fractured ankle on Friday, confessing the veteran is the last player he would have wanted to lose, per Bayern reporter Cristian Nyari:

Thursday, Nov. 20

Lahm Surgery Successful

Bayern offered a brief update on Lahm's condition, confirming his ankle operation was a success. He will now begin the long road to recovery, per the club's official Twitter:

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Lahm Suffers Fractured Ankle

Bayern Munich have been left reeling by the news that influential leader Philipp Lahm has suffered a serious ankle injury in training which will require surgery and a three-month layoff.

The news was broken by the club's official Twitter feed, with the site then confirming the length of recovery and extent of the player's injury:

Football writer Graham Hunter confirmed the story, proclaiming his astonishment at the team's injury record in the past few seasons:

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez are just three of the names to have served long spells on the treatment table.

And rivals Borussia Dortmund wished the player a speedy recovery, showing the affection that Germans have for Lahm:

Lahm has been a huge influence in the successes of both the Bavarian super-club and Germany in recent years. 

The 31-year-old has appeared 15 times this season for Bayern in both the Champions League and the Bundesliga, scoring twice, per WhoScored.com.

The news will force a rethink from Pep Guardiola, who relies on Lahm to be his general on the park—converting him into a midfield role to anchor the side.

Lahm's concentration and passing have been vital to Bayern for a number of seasons, and it seems now they will have to cope without the balance he provides.

The injury is a huge negative for Guardiola as he looks to push the success of Bayern even further forward. It could force the Spanish coach into the transfer market in the January window as the Bundesliga giants look to maintain their Champions League push in Lahm's absence.