Bayern Munich defenders Davies, Upamecano injured

With the business end of the season now firmly in focus, Bayern Munich have been dealt a serious blow with the emergence of serious injury to two of their senior players.

Defender Alphonso Davies suffered an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear in his right knee while on international duty with Canada and will be out for a long time, while his French counterpart Dayot Upamecano will miss several weeks, the Bundesliga Club said Wednesday.

The effervescent Davies, 24, was forced off in the 12th minute of Canada's 2-1 win over the United States in the Concacaf Nations League third-place playoff on Sunday. The left-back will miss the rest of the season.

"Unfortunately, during international breaks there's always the risk that players will return injured, this time it’s hit us particularly hard," Bayern's director of sport Max Eberl said in a statement from Bayern.

In another blow to the Munich club, Upamecano has been diagnosed with loose joints in his left knee.

"The absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano are a heavy blow for Bayern. Phonzy will get all the support he needs on his way back. We will also follow Upa closely in the coming weeks and assume that he will be available again soon. Our squad is strong and will compensate for these absences," Eberl added.

League leaders Bayern hold a six-point lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

Vincent Kompany's side host St Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday before welcoming Serie A leaders Inter Milan for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on April 8.