Germany have been handed an injury concern ahead of their Nations League fixtures against Hungary and England after Jamal Musiala was forced out of training on Wednesday.
The Bayern Munich prodigy, 19, came off worst after an accidental clash with club teammate Thomas Muller, leaving him with a grazed shin which forced him out of the rest of the training session. Muller, 33, could be seen apologising to his young compatriot, who is expected to recover in time for Friday's encounter with Hungary at RB Leipzig's Red Bull Arena and Monday's trip to Wembley Stadium to take on the Three Lions.
Furthering Germany manager Hansi Flick's headache, captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Leon Goretzka have been ruled out of both Nations League games after testing positive for coronavirus.
A statement on the German Football Association (DFB) website read: "Leon Goretzka (27) and Manuel Neuer (36) tested positive for the Coronavirus on Wednesday morning. Both players from FC Bayern Munchen were isolated, and will leave the team hotel. Due a to a positive Coronavirus test within one of the players' private circles, the medical team conducted a rapid antigen test on the whole national team.
"All members of the coaching staff and the team are required to test negative before travelling. Confirmed contacts of both players will be tested daily. Oliver Baumann of TSG Hoffenheim has been called up a replacement. Further replacements will be announced over the course of the day."
Germany are undefeated in Nations League Group A3 and will leapfrog Hungary into top spot if they defeat them on home turf. Another victory over England would see Die Mannschaft progress to next year's finals.
How far will England and Germany go at the World Cup this winter? Have your say in the comments!
England, meanwhile, are out to avoid relegation to League B after a disastrous start to their Nations League campaign which has featured two draws and two losses. A draw against Italy on Friday is unlikely to be enough for them to avoid the drop, as it would leave Gareth Southgate's side needing to beat Germany and Gli Azzurri to lose to Hungary next week.
The England manager has come in for plenty of criticism as a result of the disappointing run of form, forcing Jack Grealish to defend him earlier this week. Addressing the boos aimed at Southgate after June's dismal 4-0 defeat by Hungary at Molineux, the Manchester City playmaker said: "I think it was harsh
"We reached the [Euro 2020] final last year and then the Hungary game [we lost 1-0] at the start of the last camp, I think before that the last time we'd lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something. So, I think it is very harsh."
