GERMANY star Nico Schlotterbeck could be sidelined for the rest of the World Cup after suffering an injury against Ivory Coast.
Schlotterbeck, 26, started for Julian Nagelsmann’s side on Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the African nation at the Toronto Stadium in Canada.
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Germany star Nico Schlotterbeck could be sidelined for the rest of the World Cup Credit: Alamy
Schlotterbeck suffering a knee injury against Ivory Coast Credit: AP:Associated Press
However, the centre-back sustained a knee issue during the first half and appeared to struggle before half-time.
Thus, Nagelsmann, 38, decided to haul the Borussia Dortmund star off as he replaced him with Antonio Rudiger before the second half.
And the German tactician revealed after the match that Schlotterbeck hurt his ligaments.
The ex-Bayern Munich boss added that it is “not looking good”.
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Nagelsmann said: “Nico is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury. It’s not looking good.”
Football insider Fabrizio Romano later reported that Schlotterbeck’s World Cup campaign may now be over.
It seems highly unlikely that the defender will be part of Germany‘s squad for Thursday’s final match in the group stage against Ecuador.
And there is no confirmation from the German national team on whether the former Freiburg star could become available at any stage of the competition.
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Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Schlotterbeck’s injury is ‘not looking good’ Credit: EPA
Schlotterbeck injured his ligaments during the win over Ivory Coast Credit: AP:Associated Press
Nagelsmann has Schlotterbeck’s Dortmund team-mate Waldemar Anton, Real Madrid’s Rudiger, Bayern’s Jonathan Tah and Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw as other options at centre-back.
And the former RB Leipzig boss played with three at the back against Ivory Coast.
Germany have sealed their place in the Last 32 after also thrashing Curacao 7-1 in their World Cup opener last week.
Die Mannschaft were 1-0 down when they lost Schlotterbeck following Franck Kessie’s opener.
But a late and dramatic brace by second-half substitute Deniz Undav saved Nagelsmann’s blushes.
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