"?Bayern Munich have been dealt a blow with the news that Douglas Costa faces an extended spell on the sidelines with a torn thigh muscle.
"?German news outlet Kicker reported that the Brazil international will not be available for selection until November at the earliest, despite suggestions that Costa could return after the October international break.
Costa suffered the injury during Bayern's 3-1 Bundesliga victory over FC Ingolstadt on September 17, and had initially been expected to miss just a month's worth of action.
Kicker estimates that a return still seems rather unlikely in October for Douglas Costa. #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/HInVQRQggg
However, the 26-year-old's prognosis was lengthened after he underwent a scan on the issue, and is now believed to be stuck in the treatment room of the German giants for longer than anticipated.
The injury is the latest setback in a stop-start season for Costa so far that stretches back into the summer months.
Costa was forced to miss competing for his national side at the Copa America in the United States, as well as the Olympic Games in his homeland, due to a hamstring strain that he sustained in the final throes of the 2015/16 campaign.
The injury prevented Costa from featuring in Bayern's first three matches of the season, before he returned as a 71st minute substitute in 2-0 away win over Schalke on September 9.
The winger started his first match of this term in the 5-0 drubbing of FC Rostov in the Champions League four days later, before featuring as a substitute once more in the triumph over Ingolstadt - the match in which he picked up his latest muscular problem.
Costa has played 46 times for Bayern since his £25m switch from Shakhtar Donetsk in July 2015, registering seven goals and 19 assists as he helped the German outfit claim a league and cup double in his maiden campaign at the club.
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