Mexico's Chicharito breaks collarbone, out of Gold Cup

It was a first-half injury that took out the 27-year-old Guadalajara native in the Mexicans' final tune-up match before the biennial North American regional championship tournament that begins next week.

Hernandez has 40 goals in 73 caps for Mexico and losing him is a major blow to Mexican hopes of taking the Gold Cup crown for a seventh time in 13 editions of the event, having won in 1993, 1996 and 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2011.

Estimates from match broadcaster ESPN were that "Chicharito" would need four to six weeks to recover.

The injury took place when Hernandez was fouled from behind by Honduran defender Brayan Beckeles as he went to play the ball and fell awkwardly onto his right arm and shoulder.

He rose to a seated position and pointed to his right shoulder as he motioned for a trainer.

While his teammates played the second half, Hernandez was taken to a local hospital.

"Chicharito" has 59 goals in 154 appearances for Manchester United and he scored nine goals in 33 matches for Real Madrid last season on loan.

The Mexican team enters the Gold Cup on a seven-match winless streak, its longest since 2001.

Mexico is set to face Cuba, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago in Gold Cup group stage matches.