Manuel Neuer has been forced to leave the Germany team because of an 'annoying' injury that might affect his ability to play in Bayern Munich’s upcoming Champions League match against Arsenal.
After recovering from a leg injury he got 18 months ago,the experienced goalkeeper has regained his position as the No.1 for both club and country.
Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen was challenging Neuer for a starting spot in Julian Nagelsmann’s team ahead of Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign and will now have another opportunity to impress in the upcoming friendlies against France and Holland.
The 37-year-old Neuer got a muscle strain in training and has gone back to his club to start his recovery.
'Manuel Neuer has torn a muscle in his left adductor while training with the German national team,' a statement read on Bayern Munich’s official website.
'The diagnosis was confirmed by the DFB medical unit. The FC Bayern captain will therefore miss the upcoming friendlies against France and the Netherlands and return to Munich.'
The German champions face Borussia Dortmund and Heidenheim before their double header against the Gunners next month and although they have the experienced Sven Ulreich as cover, Thomas Tuchel would hope to be able to call upon the services of Neuer ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
'He sustained a muscle strain in training this morning,' confirmed Nagelsmann, meanwhile, speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against the 2022 World Cup runners-up.
'In other words, he’s out for the two games [France and the Netherlands] and maybe also for Bayern against Dortmund – but that’s not my job. It’s very annoying.'
Bayern are also worried about the fitness of January signing Sacha Boey who suffered a hamstring in training.
Talisman Harry Kane, however, looks set to feature for England over the coming days despite suffering an ankle injury after colliding with a post in last weekend’s win over Darmstadt.
The Three Lions captain reported for international duty earlier this week but trained away from the rest of Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of Saturday’s Wembley clash against Brazil.
Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer also trained away from the main group and it remains to be seen whether they will be risked against Brazil.
