OSAKA – Cerezo Osaka’s Japan international midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi will be out of action for six weeks with a knee injury, the J. League first division club said on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Yamaguchi was substituted for the first time this season after he damaged meniscus in his right knee during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to FC Tokyo.

Yamaguchi, who played in all three of Japan’s games at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, has started all 19 of Cerezo’s league matches this season.

His absence comes as a major blow for Cerezo, who are hovering just above the relegation zone in 15th place in the table.