Schürrle to miss Schweinsteiger's last game for Germany

A back problem has ruled winger André Schürrle out of Germany's friendly against Finland and their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Norway.

On Saturday, the 25-year-old was outstanding in creating Borussia Dortmund's opening goal, then won the penalty which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted, in the 2-1 home win over Mainz as the Bundesliga campaign got underway.

But the performance has come at a cost as Schürrle will sit out Wednesday's friendly in Mönchengladbach, which will be midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's final international match, and the World Cup qualifier in Oslo next Sunday, the German FA (DFB) confirmed.

“I took a blow, which really affected my back”, the player told Kicker on Saturday, before his withdrawal was announced.

The friendly against Finland will be Schweinsteiger's 121st and final appearance for Germany, having announced his retirement earlier this month. The 32-year-old has been exiled from the Manchester United first-team squad by new head coach José Mourinho and banished to the reserves, but the ex-Bayern Munich star said last Wednesday that he has no plans to leave Old Trafford.

Head coach Joachim Löw is expected to name Schweinsteiger's replacement in Monday's press conference. Manuel Neuer, who captained Germany in the five of their six Euro 2016 matches which Schweinsteiger started on the bench, is set to inherit the skipper's armband on a permanent basis.