The midfielder picked up an injury in Thailand’s draw to Vietnam last week. He was then sent back to his home club for treatment and missed Thailand’s 3-0 win over Indonesia.

A Thai doctor initially diagnosed that Thitipan had a thigh muscle tear with a little knee pain and said he would need approximately 4 weeks to recover. But a later examination in a Japanese hospital showed a right hamstring injury that will take him at least 8 weeks to recover.

Thitipan, one of 4 Thai footballers playing overseas, signed with J-League Oita Trinita. Chanathip, Theerathon, and Thitipand have been key players of the Thai national team under coach Akira Nishino.