Chinese football star Sun Xiang will not be on international duty for two friendlies due to a knee injury, PSV Eindhoven's official website said on Tuesday.

Shanghai Shenhua's Sun Xiang (L) challenges Manchester City's Ishmael Miller during the Shanghai International Football tournament in Shanghai August 4, 2006. [Reuters]

The speedy left back, China's first footballer to compete in UEFA Champions League matches, picked up a right knee injury and was taken off during yesterday's clash with Ajax. He is suffering from pain and will consequently stay at Eindhoven for treatment.

"His absence is really not a good thing for us, but we have to take this and find some substitutes," said China's head coach Zhu Guanghu.

China will play Australia and Uzbekistan on March 24 and 27 respectively. All three teams are taking these friendlies as important warm-ups for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in July.