Boateng to miss England friendly; Toni Kroos, touch and go
Germany will be without World Cup-winning defender Jérôme Boateng for Friday's friendly against England at Wembley and await news on midfielder Toni Kroos.
Germany will be without defender Jérôme Boateng for Friday's friendly against England at Wembley. The German camp confirmed this afternoon that the Bayern Munich defender is carrying a muscular injury and will sit out the first engagement of the international break. The 29-year-old will remain with the squad with the hope he will be able to star in Tuesday’s friendly against France in Cologne.
Toni Kroos laid low with stomach bug
Elsewhere, midfielder Toni Kroos is doubtful to face Gareth Southgate’s side. The Real Madrid player is reported to be suffering from a gastrointestinal infection, as is reserve goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. Mats Hummels, Boateng's centre-back partner at Bayern, also sat out Wednesday's training session in Berlin with a knock, but is expected to be declared fit to play.
Germany have four friendlies lined up
Friday’s match is the first of four friendlies against top-class opposition for the Germans, who host France on Tuesday then play Spain and Brazil at home in March to prepare for the 2018 World Cup.
England are under-strength after several players withdrew injured. Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson all dropped out on Tuesday after Tottenham's Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Harry Winks had already pulled out of the 25-man squad. Gareth Southgate's men kick off their World Cup preparations with back-to-back Wembley matches against Germany and then Brazil on 14 November.