Bayern Munich's defender Holger Badstuber reacts during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) quarter final football match Vfl Bochum v Bayern Munich on February 10, 2016 in Bochum, western Germany. / AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ / RESTRICTIONS: ACCORDING TO DFB RULES IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO IS NOT ALLOWED DURING MATCH TIME. MOBILE (MMS) USE IS NOT ALLOWED DURING AND FOR FURTHER TWO HOURS AFTER THE MATCH. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DFB DIRECTLY AT +49 69 67880 / (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

Holger Badstuber Injury: Updates on Bayern Munich CB's Return from Ankle Surgery

James DudkoFeb 13, 2016

Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber fractured his ankle in training on Saturday. The 26-year-old has already come through successful surgery, but will still be out for three months.

Continue for updates.

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Bayern Stars Pay Tribute to Badstuber

Sunday, Feb. 14

“We are with you. You’re gonna make it again!” That was the message adorning the t-shirts of Bayern's players prior to their match against Augsburg, per Eurosport, who provided the following image:

Badstuber Sends Message to Bayern Fans

Sunday, Feb. 14

Bayern Short of Defensive Options

Losing Badstuber is a tough blow for the club. He's one of Bayern's most accomplished and committed defenders.

Badstuber recently started Bayern's DFB-Pokal win over VfL Bochum. His increasing match fitness might have made him a key squad player in the club's upcoming bid to win this season's UEFA Champions League.

Now Pep Guardiola's team is dangerously short of defensive options ahead of some big games. Medhi Benatia is brittle, while Jerome Boateng is suffering from a groin problem, according to an AFP report (h/t Sky Sports).

Youngster Joshua Kimmich, who started alongside Badstuber in the cup, is likely to be pressed into more action at the back. Loan player Serdar Tasci will also be needed.

Another injury is also a bitter blow for a player who has had a litany of fitness problems in recent seasons. A ruptured thigh muscle and a torn ACL are just some of the ailments that have plagued this gifted central defender, per ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld.

A true leader at the back, Badstuber is a tough tackler, as well as being comfortable on the ball. The latter is a quality manager Guardiola covets for his possession-based brand of football. Bayern are sure to miss a leader like Badstuber as they bid to win a treble this season.