The 21-year-old needs an operation to repair his injured left knee and will miss his side's final four Bundesliga matches as the German giants attempt to avoid missing out on a Champions League place for the first time in 11 years.

"Lukas has damaged the cartilage in his left knee and will have an operation on Thursday and will be out for the next six months," it was announced on Bayern's website on Thursday.

"Poldi will make his comeback at the start of the 2007-08 season."

Podolski, who was voted the best young player of the 2006 World Cup and has scored 22 goals in 38 internationals, will also miss Germany's Euro 2008 qualifiers against San Marino and Slovakia in June.

Germany's coach Joachim Loew was disappointed by the news and will be looking for a new striking partner alongside Schalke 04's Kevin Kuranyi.

"Lukas told me on Wednesday night," said Loew.

"This is a great shame for him personally, of course, but also for the national team, because we will miss Lukas for the European qualifiers.

"I wish him a quick recovery and hope that he is fit at the beginning of the new season again."

Despite being a first-choice striker for Loew, Podolski has failed to live up to expectations since joining Bayern at the start of the season from Cologne -- scoring just four goals in 22 games.

Bayern are fourth in the Bundesliga and five points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots.