Lewis Holtby has broken his collarbone leaving him out of action for between two and three months, meaning his search for a more positive second half of the season will have to wait.
The incident happened in the second half of Hamburg’s 3-2 friendly win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, when he fell awkwardly in the middle of the field after a challenge with Martin Lanig, leaving him shouting in pain.
It is possible that the shouting was more anger than pain, however, and just as he had stated that he was feeling positive heading into the new year, his career has been hit by yet another blow.
The 24-year-old, who recently secured a permanent switch from Tottenham, will undergo surgery today, and subsequently begin a rehabilitation process expected to last around 10 weeks.
"It's obviously very bitter for Lewis," Hamburg coach Josef Zinnbauer said on the club's website. "I'm incredibly sorry for him. We will support him in any way we can. The injury outshines everything. Lewis was on a roll.”
This is also bad news for Hamburg, who begin the second half of the season just two points above the drop zone, and face relegation rivals FC Köln on January 31st.
It may provide a chance for youngsters such as Jüng, Cigerci and Philipp Müller to prove themselves and show how important they are for the future of HSV, but also it may give Zinnbauer the reason he needs to dip into the transfer market for midfield cover.