Martins ruled out with shin problem

Martins is hoping to return for the second half of the Bundesliga season after shin surgery.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins will miss the rest of the calendar year
The Nigerian international is suffering from a shin problem which requires surgery
Bochum and Cologne draw 0-0 in a German Bundesliga match played on Friday

(CNN) -- Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins will miss the rest of the calendar year due to a shin problem which requires surgery.

The Nigerian forward has been ruled out of Wolfsburg's clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday and will have an operation on his left shin next week, ruling him out until the New Year.

"He is suffering a lot from the injury and the pain has become strong," Wolves' coach Armin Veh told reporters. "There is no way around an operation now."

Martins was originally scheduled to go under the knife at the end of the first half of the Bundesliga season on December 20, but that has now been brought forward since the player is currently unable to even train.

He should be fit enough to return to action for the start of the second half of the season in mid-January.

Meanwhile, Bochum and Cologne played out a dull 0-0 draw in Friday's only Bundesliga match. The result leaves Bochum third bottom of the table with 12 points.