Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is facing more time on the sidelines after travelling to see a knee specialist in Munich to provide a long-term solution for his long-standing knee problem, which has ruled him out of Ghana's crucial World Cup playoff clash against Egypt.
Black Stars fans are highly suspicious of Boateng's knee injury he picked up during Schalke's 4-1 win over Augsburg just two days before he was supposed to join the Black Stars for the key match against the Pharaohs.
Passionate Ghana fans have called into radio stations claiming Boateng faked the injury to avoid playing the game in Kumasi next week Tuesday with many saying he is only interested in playing at the 2014 World Cup when the Black Stars qualify.
However after several tests in Shcalke the injury has proven to be too serious and could potentially miss Schalke's next game after being sent to Munich for "intensive treatment".
Boateng picked up a knee injury during Schalke's 4-1 win over Augsburg in the weekend prior to the international break.
The initial assessment was proving positive for Boateng, who was expected to spur his Ghana side on in the playoff first-leg game against Egypt on Tuesday.
However, that will not be possible anymore with Boateng travelling to Munich and expected to return only at the end of next week.
It means there is a danger of him missing Schalke's game against Eintracht Braunschweig, who are bottom of the Bundesliga at the moment.
"[Boateng] will undergo intensive and conservative treatment in the coming days from a specialist," a statement on Schalke's website read.
"This is the result of a series of investigations over the past few days. They had been carried out to determine the appropriate treatment plan to improve the state of irritation in Boateng's left knee.
"The respective first appointments in Munich had shown significant positive effects. All parties are confident that this effect will be enhanced by additional treatments.
"Boateng will return to Gelsenkirchen towards the end of next week. Then it will be decided whether or not to play him against Eintracht Braunschweig."