By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Double disaster for Leipzig: Nkunku and Schlager both incur major injuries

There's extremely bitter news emanating from the camp of title-chasers RB Leipzig. On Saturday, it was confirmed that Christopher Nkunku and Xaver Schlager will both be out for an extended period of time. 
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Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0
As if last night's defeat at the hands of title-contending rivals Borussia Dortmund wasn't bad enough, RB Leipzig have now lost two of their best performers for an extended period. Striker Christopher Nkunku has suffered another injury setback that will keep him out until April whilst Xaver Schlager is scheduled for surgery on Monday after suffering a syndesmosis tear in his ankle.

The news concerning Nkunku serves as a particularly bitter pill for Leipzig to swallow. The French superstar had been on the comeback trail from an ACL tear suffered in November. Speaking to reporters following last night's loss, Rose took responsibility for rushing the league's third leading goalscorer back too soon and leaving him on the pitch too long yesterday.

"In hindsight, I think I should have done better and taken him out earlier," Rose remarked when questioned about the overexertion implications of last night's start, "Now we must to face the consequences."

Nkunku had already suffered fresh setbacks since returning to the pitch. Leipzig have ruled the Frenchman through the coming international break and noted that the attacker will not be available until April at the earliest. Schlager's injury - similar to one recently suffered by teammate Lukas Klostermann - will keep him out at least three months.

The season may well be over for the Austrian international.

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