Hamburg midfielder Lewis Holtby sidelined for 10 weeks due to broken collarbone

Lewis Holtby has been ruled out for 10 weeks after breaking his collarbone

Berlin, Jan 17 (IANS) Hamburg's Lewis Holtby will be out of action for a bit more than two months after breaking his collarbone in a training camp in Dubai.

Hamburg's worst concerns were realised on Friday as Holtby was ruled out of action for 10 weeks, after breaking his collarbone during the club's 3-2 friendly win over league rivals Frankfurt, reports Xinhua.

The 24-year-old midfielder suffered his injury following a challenge by Frankfurt's Martin Lanig with just ten minutes remaining in the game. Holtby fell on his right shoulder and was unable to continue.

"This is, of course, very bitter for Lewis. I'm incredibly sorry for him. We will support him where we can," Hamburg's coach Joe Zinnbauer said.

The midfielder joined Hamburg in September 2014 on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and had made 14 appearances till date. However, he has played a total of 113 Bundesliga matches in his career, having already played for clubs like Schalke and Mainz among others.

Hamburg are currently in 14th position in the Bundesliga, but are perilously close to the relegation spots and will be hoping that Holtby's absence doesn't affect them a lot.