Bundesliga leaders Hamburg could be without striker Paolo Guerrero for up to six months following his injury whilst playing for Peru.

Guerrero was forced to leave the field after just 15 minutes of his nation's 3-1 defeat to Venezuela after suffering a suspected torn cruciate knee ligament.

Guerrero is due back in Germany tomorrow when he will be examined by the club's medical team.

Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia said: "The first tests from Peru indicate that Paolo has torn his cruciate ligaments.

"That obviously hits us hard and it is obviously bitter for Paolo."

The former Bayern Munich striker faces up to six months on the sidelines if the initial diagnosis is confirmed tomorrow.

He currently leads the Bundesliga scoring charts with four goals which have helped take Hamburg to the top of the table after four matches.

Labbadia is already without Collin Benjamin who injured his knee while on international duty for Namibia in Swaziland last weekend and was due to undergo surgery today.