Leverkusen - Bayer Leverkusen and Germany forward Patrick Helmes is sidelined for several months after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his knee, the Bundesliga club Leverkusen said on Friday.

Leverkusen said that Helmes, 25, sustained the injury in his right knee during a post-season holiday and underwent surgery on Friday.

Helmes, who scored 21 goals in the last Bundesliga season, could be out of action for the rest of the year. He will miss the first part of the new Bundesliga season starting in August and likely Germany's remaining qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup as well.

"This is very bitter for Patrick. We will miss him a lot," said new Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes. (dpa)