Dortmund will be without defender Neven Subotic for the rest of the season, the "BVB" announced in an official statement on Friday.

The 27-year-old defender was diagnosed with a thrombosis in his arm, which bars him to do any contact sport in the next weeks.

"Under the circumstances I am doing well. I will keep myself fit with individual training to return in a better shape than ever before," the Serbia international said.

It is another injury setback for Subotic, who missed most of the season due to back problems to make only six appearances.

The defender joined Borussia Dortmund from Mainz in June 2008 to make 192 appearances and 15 goals overall. He lifted the Bundesliga title in 2011 and the domestic double in 2012 with the "BVB" .

Thomas Tuchel' s men, who sit on the second place of the standings, clash with struggling Werder Bremen at the 28th round in Bundesliga on Saturday.