The 25-year-old was carried off the pitch in the first-half of Bayern’s 2-1 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday.

"After we got back to Munich, we drove to see Dr Muller-Wohlfahrt. It got x-rayed and it was revealed the left fibula was broken," Hargreaves said on his official website.

"I need to wear a plaster for three weeks, then we have to wait and see how the recovery goes."

The long layoff period means the energetic midfielder, who has been targeted by Manchester United, will miss a number of Bayern’s crucial games in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.

"That's the way it is in football," said the Canadian-born player. "Sometimes you are flying high and all of a sudden you are down again."

Hargreaves’ injury comes as a strong blow for England boss Steve McClaren who has been in splendid form for the Three Lions.

He will miss England’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia in October.