Goalkeeping blow to Germany

Bayer 04 Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler announced today he would have to opt out of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

And now Germany will have to search for a new No. 1 with Schalke's Manuel Neuer and Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese the candidates to take over Adler's role.

Coach Joachim Loew will now have to name a new No. 1 in less then a year. The original plans were to go into the World Cup with Robert Enke as Germany's No. 1 goalkeeper. But the Hanover goalkeeper who lit under depressions, committed suicide last November. Adler then followed in his footsteps.


Adler's bad luck

Adler, who was named No. 1 for the World Cup earlier this year, had suffered a rib injury in last month's Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart. He did make a comeback on Saturday, May 1 against Hertha BSC Berlin, but the keeper again felt pain after the game which forced him to reconsider his comeback decision and opt for an operation which would end his dream of playing in this summers World Cup.

Adler was honest to himself as he felt he wouldn't be able to give 100% with the rib injury.

"The pain is so great that I would not have been able to perform at my best over the longer term both in training and during matches," Adler said in a statement.

Adler has a history of rib injuries. In 2006 such an injury had nearly ended his career.

But it wasn't the only injury blow to Germany. Adler club teammate Simon Rolfes also informed Loew he wouldn't be part of the World Cup squad, but this was expected news with Rolfes having been out for month's.


Keeper No. 3

Now it will be interesting to see who would be the third goalkeeper when Joachim Loew announces his provisional squad on Thursday. Amongst the top candidates are Bayern Munich's seasoned Hans-Joerg Butt as well as Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller.

If Butt is chosen he would make a surprise international comeback after seven long years. But Butt is a trusted veteran and was Germany's No. 3 goalkeeper in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

What would make Butt's international return so interesting is that he had leave Bayer Leverkusen a few years ago as Adler became the new No. 1 at the club.