Germany: Another injury blow

The German national team has been hit by another injury blow with defender Heiko Westermann ruled out of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Schalke defender broke his left foot towards the end of the Hungary vs Germany friendly on Saturday in Budapest. Initially the foot injury wasn't seen as too serious, but due to problems overnight Westermann was send for a scan once back in the team camp in south Tirol. There the fracture was confirmed which ended Westermann's World Cup dream.

For coach Joachim Loew this is the fifth injury related drop out. Earlier goalkeeper Rene Adler plus midfielders Michael Ballack, Simon Rolfes and Christian Traesch had to all stay at home due to injuries.

A disappointed Loew said: "Heiko would have played an important role at the World Cup. He would have been important for us because of his versatility. He was in excellent physical shape in training."

27 year old Westermann has so far played 19 matches for Germany and was the kind of player liked by Loew as being able to play in numerous different positions. Westermann had had a great season for Schalke, who had finished a surprising second in the German Bundesliga, could play as central defender, wing back or central midfielder. On Saturday Westermann had played as left back against Hungary.

On Tuesday Loew will have to name his final 23 member squad, but due to the numerous injuries only one players name will be scrapped from the final list. And there aren't too many candidates on that list with the German media speculating that Dortmund defender Mats Hummels could be a late call-up, but DFB media director ended that speculation saying that only players at the preparatory camp would make the trip to South Africa.

The top candidate to not make the cut is Hoffenheim right back Andreas Beck, while other candidates are said to be Dennis Aogo, Stefan Kiessling and even the out of form Miroslav Klose, but I don't see that happening. Loew as a coach is very loyal to his players, especially those who have delivered over the years.

The general mood in the German public has become sceptical what this team without key players can achieve in South Africa. Many fear that the young and inexperienced team will not make the knock-out stages, while others hope that young, but experienced players like Lahm and Schweinsteiger can prove their international class and can carry the team. Then I would think a lot is possible.

Winning the World Cup would be asking too much, but anything is possible in football and that is the charm of the beautiful game.