Bayern winger Robben ruled out until new year

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben will be out for the last three Bundesliga matches of the year due to a nagging muscle injury but is expected to be back fit in early January, coach Niko Kovac said on Friday.

The 34-year-old Dutchman has been nursing a thigh muscle injury for some time and Kovac said playing Robben now would be too much of a risk.

"He will not play any more this year," Kovac told reporters' ahead of Saturday's league game against Hanover 96. The Bundesliga goes into a winter break from Dec. 23 to Jan 18.

"He has muscle problems. The break will do him good. We will then build him up so he is ready to go on Jan 4. (training camp start)."

Robben, who joined the Bavarians in 2009, has said this is his last season in Munich.

Bayern, who have won the last six league titles, are in third place after a lacklustre season so far, nine points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, and two off second-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach.