Shanghai Shenhua's latest injury update highlights the emergence of two key players who will miss significant time as they recover from their respective injuries.
Firstly, midfielder Diego Costa has been ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury. The 28-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, meaning he won't feature in any matches until the end of the season.
Costa was instrumental in helping Shenhua secure promotion to the Premier League last season and his return would have been a huge boost to the team's confidence.
Secondly, winger Juan Mata suffered a hamstring strain during the recent friendly match against China U23s. The 26-year-old has missed three games this season due to his injury and it remains to be seen if he will be able to make a full recovery.
Mata has already been a regular in the side but his absence could mean that the team may struggle to find a replacement. It is hoped that the club can work closely with medical staff to ensure that he returns to fitness as soon as possible.
The impact of these injuries on the team's performance cannot be overstated. The club must now focus on finding replacements for Diego Costa and Juan Mata while also working towards a strong start to the new campaign.