Fortuna Düsseldorf will be without key midfielder Ao Tanaka in their German Cup semi-final at Bayer Leverkusen later on Wednesday due to appendicitis surgery.
Düsseldorf said that the Japanese player underwent the operation late Tuesday and would be sidelined "until further notice."
His absence is a big blow for the second division club who are seeking promotion into the top flight and aim for an upset in the Cup match at Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in all their 39 season matches in all competitions.