Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez has been ruled out for six to seven months with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

The Spanish international was stretchered off after half an hour in the DFL Supercup on Wednesday. After a seemingly innocuous challenge with Marcel Schmelzer, on second inspection, replays showed the FC Bayern man's knee hyperextending slightly. Hyperextension of the knee is commonly linked to ACL injuries: Neven Subotic, Andre Hoffmann; Robbie Kruse and Jakub Blaszczykowski are among the many Bundesliga players to have suffered the same fate. This resulted in an investigation by team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt and Dr. Peter Ueblacker and the club confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.

The Bavarians went on to lose the Supercup to Borussia Dortmund 2-0, thanks to a lacklustre display. While that was to be expected, especially when there were just eight/nine fit players, it leaves manager Pep Guardiola in the lurch. Bayern fans had been hoping for another centre-back to join through-out the summer, but Martinez' injury could push that through even quicker. AS Roma's Mehdi Benatia was rumoured to be one of the favourites to come in and it would be no surprise to see the Spanish coach pursue him. As Dante, Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber are the only centre-backs left, a move could happen with speed.

In the meantime, focus is on the terrible injury that Javi Martinez suffered. He will fly to Colorado in the next few days to undergo surgery and will return to Munich for rehabilitation. Martinez had this to say on his injury:

"Dear Bayern fans, thank you for all the well wishes. I will come back stronger and fight together with you for our club. If I get the opportunity I would like to celebrate our team with the fans in the Sudkurve. It doesn't matter how long I fall out injured, I will look every game and become the biggest fan of Bayern. Of course, I am very sad at the moment," said the 25-year-old, "but you need not worry - I'll come back even stronger!"

(Quotes via @BavarianTweets and @FCBayern)