BREMEN, Germany (AFP) - Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida's thigh injury is worse than first expected and he is set to miss Werder Bremen's key games against Real Madrid and the crucial Bundesliga clash with Hamburg.

The 23-year-old hit the winning goal for Portugal in their 1-0 win over Armenia on Saturday, but then tore his thigh muscle before he was subsitituted.

"It happened when I sprinted for the ball just before I was taken off, I knew straight away I was in trouble," Almeida said about his injury.

The tear is worse than first thought and as well as missing Wednesday night's Euro 2008 qualifier against Finland, with his side needing a point to reach next summer's European Championships, Almeida needs more treatment.

He is definitely out of this weekend's Bundesliga clash with Energie Cottbus and is rated as doubtful for next week's games against Real and Hamburg.

And Bremen coach admitted the loss of one of his top scorer was not good news with Real Madrid due at the Wesetstadion on November 28.

Hamburg are third in the Bundesliga table, but level on points with Werder Bremen with both sides looking to close the gap on leaders Bayern Munich when they clash on December 1.