Bad news for Werder Bremen as striker Claudio Pizarro suffered a knee injury preparing with the Peruvian national team for the Copa America.

The 32-year-old Pizarro suffered ligament damage to his right knee in a training match against the U17 team of Sporting Cristal and initial tests confirmed that the veteran striker could be out six weeks, ending the Copa America for the Werder star before it even began.

"After this diagnosis, he will definitely not play," said Werder manager Klaus Allofs Saturday evening. "It will be difficult to see him back for the start of the pre-season. We remain in contact with his doctors and we will decide in the coming days how he will be treated and when he will return to Germany."

Werder team doctor Dr. Götz Dimanski was notified of the injury directly from Peru and counselled the Peruvian national team medical staff about the initial measures to be taken. "It makes sense for Claudio to be treated by the team in this very sensitive initial stage. The conditions on site are good and the actions will be discussed before hand with us. There is no reason for a hurried return. We will determine the treatment proceedings following the next tests in the coming days," said Dimanski.

Pizarro was preparing for the 43rd Copa America from 1-24 July 2010 in Argentina following a holiday with his family, which he took directly after the Bundesliga season. In spring, he made his return to the Peru national team after three years away.