Junior Malanda will miss VfL Wolfsburg's push for a Champions League place after a scan Wednesday revealed he suffered torn knee ligaments in their German Cup semi-final defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder will miss the rest of the season after straining the cruciate ligament in his right knee and tearing the medial ligament in the 81st minute of Wolves' 2-0 defeat at Dortmund on Tuesday.

The Belgium Under-21 international is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.

"It's a blessing in disguise, at least it's not a torn cruciate ligament," said coach Dieter Hecking.

"It's a pity for him, but at least he will be ready to go for it when the new season starts."

Malanda has made a good impression since joining Wolves from Belgium's SV Zulte Waregem in December with two goals and an assist in seven Bundesliga appearances.

Wolfsburg, the 2009 German champions, are fifth in the Bundesliga, but just one point from fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who are in the last Champions League place.

Wolves have a tricky run-in to the end of the season on May 10.

They face relegation-threatened Hamburg, Stuttgart and Freiburg, who are all desperate for points, before their final game against sixth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach, who are just a point behind them and also fighting for a Champions League place.