Özil injured
October 8, 2014
German midfield player Mesut Özil is due to miss his country's upcoming EURO 2016 qualifier against Poland this Saturday and a further 10-12 weeks of football, as he recovers from a partial tear in his cruciate knee ligament.
According to the German national team's spokesperson, Jens Grittner, Özil arrived at Germany squad camp experiencing considerable pain in his left knee. The Arsenal player then travelled straight to Munich yesterday to undergo scans with Germany's team doctor, and was not able to take part in team training.
Meanwhile, team captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will continue to remain absent from the German squad, with ongoing knee patella pain, while star midfielder Marco Reus is also injured. In the two EURO 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Ireland (14.10.2014), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will act as captain.
"Bastian's annoyed at the moment because he is not playing," Manuel Neuer said at a press conference in Frankfurt. "He's an important part of our team, he directs the players and dictates the speed of our game."
Schürrle and Draxler return
Good news though for fans of attacking football: Andre Schürrle and Julian Draxler, who were both initially expected to miss the game against Poland, are now a good chance to play. Schürrle is back doing fitness training at the hotel after injuring his left foot and is expected to practise with the team on Thursday.
"Things actually look good for Andre Schürrle at the moment," confirmed Germany's team manager Oliver Bierhoff, adding that he thought the current load on top European players is too high.
Julian Draxler from Schalke is also expected to train with the team twice ahead of the match against Poland. The 21-year-old had been suffering the flu but will join up with the team in Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the Poland game, Bierhoff also confirmed that there will be a film released soon documenting Germany's World Cup victory in Brazil. The film, which was produced in accordance with the DFB's instructions, will open on November 10 in Berlin.
al/jr (dpa, SID)