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On Sunday afternoon Borussia Dortmund confirmed Marcel Schmelzer will be missing for six weeks, having picked up an injury against SC Freiburg.

The defender was injured by a poor tackle from Freiburg’s Yoric Ravet which saw the offender red carded, and Schmelzer taken off the pitch clearly in pain.

After a visit to the hospital, ligament damage has been confirmed, which means there’s no way Schmelzer can play against Tottenham in the Champions League.

Dortmund also have issues with another defender, Spaniard Marc Bartra picked up a groin issue during the same match this weekend, and is considered doubtful for the Tottenham game.

Whilst the former Barcelona player hasn’t yet been completely ruled out, with Bild suggesting there’s still some hope he can make the Tottenham match, his inclusion is under serious question.

Mauricio Pochettino will take all the help he can get in a tough group for Tottenham, and Dortmund losing their captain Schmelzer is bad enough, if Bartra joins him it makes the defensive issues all the more serious.