Thiago Alcantara set for 'lengthy absence' with another ligament tear

Thiago Alcantara cannot catch a break.

The Spanish midfielder, who has suffered two debilitating knee injuries in the past eight months, will not be making his return any time soon despite growing excitement he was close to stepping back on the pitch.

Thiago, 23, suffered a partial ligament tear in his right knee in March, and a recurrence of the injury in May kept him on the sideline ever since - forcing him to miss Spain's World Cup adventure.

There have been rumblings the former Barcelona midfielder was closing in on a return, but this latest news obviously dashes that hope. Assuming the issue is once again his knee, Bayern Munich could be without Thiago for the season.