Bayern Goalkeeper Neuer Out of Germany Squad for Spain

Manuel Neuer will not travel with Germany
squad to Spain for an international friendly
in Vigo on Tuesday night because of a knee
injury.
A slight problem with the Bayern Munich
goalkeeper’s right knee has ruled him out of
the clash with the European Cup holders.
“I would have liked to have been able to field
my best team against Spain, but we did not
want to take any risks with Manuel,” said
Germany coach Joachim Low on the website
of German Football Association (DFB).
“With Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia
Dortmund) and Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover
96), we have two excellent alternatives who
have more than deserved to play against
Spain. I know I can rely on both of them.”
Neuer, 28, kept a clean sheet as Germany
defeated Gibraltar 4-0 on Friday evening. His
withdrawal from Tuesday’s friendly is
understood to be precautionary; however, the
severity of his injury is not yet clear.
Neuer joins Marcos Reus, Andre Schuerrle,
Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler and Bastian
Schweinsteiger amongst the list of German
absentees for the 2010 World Cup semi-final
replay.
Bayern return to German Bundesliga action
next Saturday against Hoffenheim before
travelling to face Manchester City in the
UEFA Champions League having already
qualified for the knockout stages, although
City need to win that game to keep their
hopes alive of joining them in the last 16.