Matsumoto Yamaga midfielder Kohei Kudo will require a month to recover from an acute lung injury suffered earlier this month, the team announced on Sunday.

The 31-year-old was forced to leave the pitch in the 80th minute of Yamaga’s 2-0 loss at Albirex Niigata on October 17 as a result of the injury.

Kudo has one goal in 14 appearances for the 16th-placed side this season.

Without the veteran, the side plunged to a 2-1 loss at Sagan Tosu on Saturday that leaves the club dangerously close to relegation.

Yasuharu Sorimachi’s men will now need to pick up results in trips to Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F.Marinos on the final two matchdays of the season if they are to stand any chance of survival.