RB Leipzig have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League double-header with Celtic - as key midfielder Konrad Laimer will miss BOTH games according to reports in Germany.
After the international break, Ange Postecoglou 's team will go up against the German side looking to rack up some points to give themselves a fighting chance of making it out the group stage. Leipzig have lost both Group F games so far, with Shakhtar running out surprise 4-1 winners in the opening game before Real Madrid beat them 2-0 on matchday two.
Laimer missed the latter with an ankle injury and it seems their worst fears over the influential Austrian have been realised. Sky Sports Germany report he will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery - meaning he would miss both the home game against the Hoops on October 5 and the return encounter at Celtic Park six days later.
Leipzig know they will need to win at least one of those two clashes with the Premiership champions to stand any realistic chance of European football beyond Christmas. They are currently rooted to the bottom and the only team not to pick up a point after Celtic's draw with Shakhtar in Poland got them off the mark.
Laimer is normally one of the first names on the teamsheet and will be a major miss as they look to revive their European campaign. But he is now unlikely to return until the end of October with even their clash with Real Madrid on matchday five looking in serious doubt.
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