Germany’s central defender, Mats Hummels, has recovered from a neck injury and will be fit for the country’s last World Cup Group F game against South Korea on Wednesday.
However, midfielder Sebastian Rudy is doubtful, assistant coach, Marcus Sorg, said on Monday.
Hummels, who missed their last-gasp 2-1 victory over Sweden, returned to training on Monday and Rudy broke his nose in that game and underwent minor surgery on Sunday.
“Sebi (Rudy) was operated on for the broken nose. He will undergo further checks this afternoon and we will see.
“We must be prepared that he will not be likely to play,” Sorg told reporters.
Rudy started against Sweden after muscling his way past out-of-form World Cup winner Sami Khedira.
Sorg said team doctors would also look into the possibility of him playing with a face mask for the game in Kazan.
“If there is the possibility of playing with a mask, without risk to his health, then it is something that could be considered,” he said.
Marco Reus, a German midfielder, said the world champions must win their final group game by at least two goals to ensure a spot in the second round after their shock 1-0 opening loss to Mexico.
“We hope this (victory against Sweden) was the ignition that will give us confidence and allow us to play more freely, use our chances better.
“We know that some past world champions have not survived the group stage at the World Cup yet.
“But we will do everything so that it does not happen to us.
“It will be a very difficult game and there will be a lot of counter-attacks from South Korea our next opponents as they also have a tight defence.
“We have to do our duty. We have to win against the Koreans and not just by 1-0,” Reus said.
Reuters/NAN
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