Mesut Ozil has emerged as a serious doubt for his nations opening World Cup match, according to reports in Germany.
The Arsenal star scored in Saturdays 2-1 friendly defeat against Austria and was taken off in the 76th minute, replaced by Julian Draxler.
According to Bild, the 29-year-old has been unable to train for the last four days and is nursing a knee injury which is jeopardising his participation in the upcoming tournament in Russia.
The report claims Ozil was seen clutching his knee following a first half collision with Watfords Sebastian Prodl and was only able to participate in fitness and conditioning work on Wednesday.
More: Football
Germany World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich)
Strikers: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Germany play Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up fixture on Friday and Ozil is almost certain to miss out with Ilkay Gundogan or Leon Goretzka likely to deputise.
Advertisement Advertisement
Last week it was reported that Ozil, who missed Arsenals last three games of the Premier League season with a back injury, had riled Germany head coach Joachim Low by failing to show enough effort in training.
Lows assistant coach Thomas Schneider was quoted as saying: We expect him to challenge himself in training to build up his resilience. Mesut is always receiving treatment.
Germany begin the defence of the World Cup on June 17 against Mexico in Moscow.
More: Arsenal FC
Advertisement Advertisement
Mesut Ozil has emerged as a serious doubt for his nations opening World Cup match, according to reports in Germany.
The Arsenal star scored in Saturdays 2-1 friendly defeat against Austria and was taken off in the 76th minute, replaced by Julian Draxler.
According to Bild, the 29-year-old has been unable to train for the last four days and is nursing a knee injury which is jeopardising his participation in the upcoming tournament in Russia.
The report claims Ozil was seen clutching his knee following a first half collision with Watfords Sebastian Prodl and was only able to participate in fitness and conditioning work on Wednesday.
More: Football
Germany World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich)
Strikers: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Germany play Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up fixture on Friday and Ozil is almost certain to miss out with Ilkay Gundogan or Leon Goretzka likely to deputise.
Advertisement Advertisement
Last week it was reported that Ozil, who missed Arsenals last three games of the Premier League season with a back injury, had riled Germany head coach Joachim Low by failing to show enough effort in training.
Lows assistant coach Thomas Schneider was quoted as saying: We expect him to challenge himself in training to build up his resilience. Mesut is always receiving treatment.
Germany begin the defence of the World Cup on June 17 against Mexico in Moscow.
More: Arsenal FC
Advertisement Advertisement
