Helmes's new injury blow

The former Germany international pulled up during the Wolves' 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in a friendly match on Saturday and underwent a scan on Sunday.

The results confirmed the worst fears that Helmes, who was just cementing his place in the Wolfsburg side after recovering from an identical injury in 2009, has again torn knee ligaments.

"Patrick was heading in the right direction and this is a bitter blow for him and for the whole team," said Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath on his club's website.

"We will now all support Patrick so that he can get back onto the field as quickly as possible."

Helmes first tore knee ligaments while playing with friends after the 2008-09 season had already ended.

The then Bayer Leverkusen striker missed the first half of the 2009-10 season and was never able to fight his way back into the team under Jupp Heynckes and moved to Wolfsburg in January 2011.

In February this year he returned to the Wolfsburg team after five months training with the reserves after failing to convince Magath of his worth, but an impressive final few months of last season changed Magath's opinion and even saw him touted for a return to the Germany national team in time for Euro 2012.