Berlin (AFP) - Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen announced the loss of injured midfielder Exequiel Palacios “for the time being” on Saturday, while wing-back Jeremie Frimpong was cleared.

Leverkusen did not specify how long the World Cup-winning Palacios would spend on the sidelines, saying that an MRI on Sunday confirmed a thigh injury sustained in Saturday’s 3-2 win at RB Leipzig.

“The diagnosis will force the 25-year-old to watch from the sidelines for the time being.”

The news comes at a bad time for coach Xabi Alonso’s undermanned league leaders.

The Argentinian has played all but one of Leverkusen’s league games this season and is Alonso’s preferred penalty taker.

First teamers Edmond Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou and Amine Adli are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Victor Boniface is out until April with a groin injury.

Frimpong, who was subbed off in the first-half with a leg complaint, has however been cleared to play.

The Netherlands international “did not suffer a structural injury and will be able to resume training this week”.

Unbeaten in 27 games in all competitions this season, Leverkusen currently sit seven points ahead of second-placed Bayern Munich in the league.

Bayern, who are on a streak of 11 straight Bundesliga titles, have two games in hand and host Werder Bremen on Sunday afternoon in Munich.