Boateng, Hummels out

After earlier tweeting that he was not fit to play, Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is now confirmed as definitely not available for Germany's friendly on Wednesday in Cologne, or the team's EURO 2016 qualifier three days later against Gibraltar. Hummels has been struggling for weeks with hip tendonitis.

In Cologne the DFB side will also be without Jerome Boateng, after the Bayern defender was given clearance to join up with the squad late. Otherwise, World Champions Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos have also all been given a break.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said that too much is being made in the German media of players' health and them going away on holidays before the US game.

"We've been in good contact with most players and they have been telling us how they have been keeping fit," Bierhoff explained to journalists in Cologne. "You don't lose your fitness in such a short period of time anyway."

"I'm more worried if players are left to themselves for 10 days after a season ends."

Podolski dismisses Werder Bremen deal

Meanwhile, German team veteran Lukas Podolski used the lead up to the game against the USA to speak further about his club future.

"Over the next days there will be speculation about me moving to Werder Bremen," said Podolski, seemingly trying to get in ahead of any media reports. "Too much will be made of that."

"For the moment, I will be returning to London. Arsenal is a great club and I can help them on the pitch," the 30-year-old added. "But that doesn't mean that things can't happen in the next few weeks."

Podolski, who has played 123 games for Germany, moved on loan to Inter Milan at the start of the year, after receiving little game time at his Premier League club.