Germany suffered a massive blow after Mats Hummels injured his neck and his participation in the FIFA World Cup 2018 match against Sweden is in doubt.
Germany coach Joachim Low said the central defender Hummels was unlikely to feature in their Group F game after sustaining a neck injury in training.
The world champions, who suffered a shock opening loss to Mexico, must avoid another defeat which could see them crash out at a World Cup group stage for the first time in 80 years.
“Mats Hummels will most likely not be able to play because he injured his neck in training yesterday and it has not improved until today,” Low told reporters in Sochi on Friday.
“He has not trained and obviously there are still a few hours but usually these things do not improve considerably overnight and tomorrow we need fit players. I think it makes no sense (for him to play).”
A likely replacement for Hummels is Antonio Rudiger but Low said he would wait until tomorrow to see Hummels’ condition.
Sweden are joint top of the group after beating South Korea in their opener, and victory over Germany would almost certainly see them advance to the knockout stage. Mexico, also on three, play South Korea in the other group match.