Austin Matthews is in Germany to see a doctor for treatment on the undisclosed injury that has kept him out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup for the past six games.

Matthews decided to go to Germany because he preferred it, league sources said The Athletic.

On Tuesday, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving told reporters that Leafs medical director Dr. Noah Forman accompanied Matthews overseas. According to Treliving, no surgery will be required for the injury.

With the Leafs in the midst of an easy schedule that sees them play just one game in seven days, Matthews and the Leafs saw an opportunity to take advantage.

“We looked at the schedule here and what we’re trying to do is use this week to hopefully put this behind us,” Treliving said.

According to a league source, Matthews is visiting a “world-renowned clinic.” Matthews had previously sought treatment at the same clinic.

Treliving called the visit “more of a general checkup, but also to work” on the injury to Matthews’ body. There remains an air of secrecy surrounding Matthews and his injury. When asked, Treliving declined to specifically name the injury.

“I’m protective of our players,” Treliving said. “We want to share as much as we can, but anything that puts the player at risk, I’m not going to do that.”

There have been no setbacks with Matthews and his comeback efforts, according to the Leafs GM. It’s the same injury Matthews suffered during training camp.

“It’s not alarming,” Treliving stressed.

During back-to-back games at St. Louis and Minnesota on November 2 and 3, Matthews logged more than 42 minutes of ice time. It became difficult for Matthews to continue playing through the injury after the two games. With the team in the midst of a hectic schedule, it was deemed most prudent for him to return to 100 percent health.

Matthews has only skated twice since the Leafs first disclosed the injury. The last time he skated was Nov. 10, but Treliving said Matthews continued to work on the ice.

The Leafs are holding out hope that Matthews will return to skating and begin the return-to-play protocol after this week. Matthews is likely to return during the Leafs’ two-game road trip to play Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning next week, Treliving said.

That remains the longest stretch the Leafs have had without Matthews since he missed 14 straight games with a shoulder injury in 2018-19.

The Leafs are 5-1 in Matthews’ absence, though their center depth continues to take a hit. Tuesday, David Kampf was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 16. The Leafs called up Fraser Minten from the Toronto Marlies to play against the team on Wednesday. Vegas Golden Knights.

Matthews is in his first season as Leafs captain. In his 13 games this season, he has five goals and 11 assists.

(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / Imagn Images)