Wednesday 15 March 2017 19:36, UK
An unspecified metabolism disorder has brought Mario Gotze's season to a premature end, according to his club Borussia Dortmund.
The world appeared to be at the midfielder's feet in 2014 when he made the difference with a World Cup-winning strike for Germany against Argentina.
But his career has gradually gone off the boil since then, culminating in the recent revelation he has a metabolism disorder.
"Provided his treatment goes positively, Gotze can start again with performance-orientated training in early summer," Dortmund said on Wednesday.
"The overall sporting goal for the player is to be fully operational for the start of next season," which starts on Friday, August 18 in Germany.
Last month, Dortmund revealed that medical tests to see why Gotze had been suffering from repeated injury and a lack of form had shown up "metabolic disturbances".
Gotze was then sent for specialist help, with Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke stating that it would not be a "short-term issue".
Last July, Dortmund paid €22m to buy Gotze back from Bayern Munich, having been forced to sell him in 2013 for €37m after the Bavarians triggered a release clause in his contract.
