Manuel Neuer Out with Calf Tear for Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich's goalkeeper, faces time away from the pitch after suffering a calf muscle tear, according to the Bundesliga outfit's announcement on Sunday.

The 39 year old was taken off at the interval during Saturday's 3-0 success against Werder Bremen, a performance that allowed Bayern to regain their six point advantage over Borussia Dortmund at the summit of the Bundesliga standings.

Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl first described the change as a precautionary action and suggested the issue was minor.

Yet a scan conducted on Sunday revealed the damage to be worse than anticipated.

The table toppers declared, "Bayern Munich must cope without Manuel Neuer in the short term," in a club statement that offered no details on the length of their skipper's layoff.

German outlets indicated Neuer's participation is uncertain in Bayern's late February journey to Dortmund, and he will skip the following Saturday encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The seasoned shot stopper celebrates his 40th birthday in March and has endured recurring calf troubles, sitting out 10 fixtures last term from a related setback.

Bayern enjoyed an 11 point buffer in the German top division at the festive period, though Dortmund have narrowed it to six points via a streak of six triumphs.