Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has been ruled out of the weekend's top of the table clash with Werder Bremen.

The France midfielder sustained a thigh injury during the Bundesliga leaders' win at Hansa Rostock last Friday and is now facing three weeks out of action.

The injury means the 24-year-old will miss Sunday's crunch clash with second-placed Bremen, who can draw level on points with Bayern with victory at the Allianz Arena.

The severity of Ribery's problem is also likely to rule him out of Bayern's UEFA Cup clash against Abderdeen, their Bundesliga encounter with Hannover and maybe even the game against Hamburg on February 24.

The news comes as a blow to Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld, who also is sweating on the fitness of key defender Lucio ahead of the big game.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport