Mario Gotze won't play another match this season due to metabolic disorder

Borussia Dortmund have ruled Mario Gotze out for the remainder of the season. Gotze had been sidelined indefinitely as he tries to sort out a metabolic disorder and hasn't trained since being diagnosed last month. Now BVB have confirmed that he will not play another match this season.

The plan for Gotze now is to return to training in early summer. That will give him the opportunity to play again at the start of next season, assuming he does not suffer any setbacks.

Gotze suffered several muscle injuries after rejoining Dortmund from Bayern Munich in the summer. The metabolic disorder could explain the problems and now Gotze, along with BVB, is working to solve them.

In Gotze's absence, Borussia Dortmund have put Christian Pulisic in the starting lineup and the 18-year-old American has rewarded manager Thomas Tuchel's faith with a string of tremendous showings. BVB also have Andre Schurrle and Shinji Kagawa as options so they are not short on players to slot into the attacking band. That will make things even harder on Gotze when he does return, but right now it's simply good news that his health is improving and there is a path to get back. It just won't be this season.