Dallinga's season stunted by ACL injury with Ache also sidelined for Köln

Köln's marquee forwards have fallen foul of an ACL injury and muscular problems leaving René Wagner with a plethora of problems in the No.9 position.

Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images.

The worst fears of those at 1.FC Köln have become bitter reality, with Thijs Dallinga suffering a cruel ACL tear this afternoon. 

Dallinga suffered the injury during the Cathedral City club's 2-2 friendly match with Viktoria Köln and will now be out for several months.

The Dutch striker was pictured clutching his right knee regularly in the first-half before being helped off the pitch by team physios. 

It comes as a major blow for Effzeh after the 26-year-old arrived on loan from Bologna in summer and bagged a brace on his debut. 

Meanwhile, fellow marksman Ragnar Ache also has to sit out Köln's upcoming games for the time being due to a muscle injury.

The exact extent of absence is unknown after the MRI scan, but his teammate Dallinga likely faces at least 6 to 12 months out of action.

Both setbacks leave René Wagner's squad short of strikers ahead of Saturday's Rhineland derby with Borussia Mönchengladbach.