Dortmund CEO: Gotze's illness is not 'short term'

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke revealed that the club is bracing itself for an extended period without Mario Gotze as he attempts to recover from "metabolic disturbances."

Dortmund announced Monday that the Germany international has been ruled out indefinitely after a comprehensive examination revealed the cause for his absences from the team of late.

Watzke echoed a similar message to the statement released by the club, as he was unwilling to predict when the 24-year-old will recover from the illness and return to the fold.

"It won't be a short-term thing," Watzke said in an interview with German outlet Bild, as translated by ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld.

Concerns about Gotze's health began shortly after the winter break and persisted into February when he was unable participate in Dortmund's opening matches of 2017.

Muscle problems were the initial reason given by the club before "metabolic disturbances" were discovered.

Since returning to Dortmund last summer after his frustrating spell with Bayern Munich, Gotze has scored two goals during 16 appearances in all competitions.