Podolski ruled out for a month

Cologne striker Lukas Podolski is facing up to the possibility he could be out for almost a month.

German international to miss crucial games for relegation battlers

Cologne striker Lukas Podolski is facing up to the possibility he could be out for almost a month. Podolski played the full 90 minutes of their 4-1 defeat against Schalke, but complained of a pain in his left foot after the game. The German international was sent for a scans, but news he could out for a month will come as a real blow to Schalke, who are involved in a relegation battle. A statement on the club's official website read: "The scan found signs of an old injury to Podolski, and a bone in his left foot is broken again. "Lukas will not be available to the Cologne first team for three to four weeks." Reports in the English press have revealed Premier League outfit Arsenal made an £8 million bid earlier this month for the striker.