France winger Franck Ribery is not expected to return for Bayern Munich until March at the earliest after recovering from a buttocks operation, according to reports.
German daily Bild say the 30-year-old is set to miss Bayern's next three matches after surgery last Thursday to repair a burst blood vessel.
With runaway leaders Bayern 13 points clear in the league, Ribery will miss two Bundesliga matches, as well as Wednesday's Champions League match last 16, first leg match at Arsenal,
Ribery is not expected to return until the home match against Schalke 04 on March 1 and only then if the injury heals according to plan.
Any complications would see Ribery face a race against time to be fit for the Champions League second-leg at home to the Gunners on March 11.
Ribery is due to start his rehabilitation at the end of the week, then start running the week after.
