Germany backup midfielder Christian Traesch will miss the World Cup after injuring his right ankle in a training game against a local selection in northern Italy in another blow for the three-time champion.
Germany has been hit by a series of injuries that have taken out captain Michael Ballack and designated No. 1 goalkeeper Rene Adler, among others, from the upcoming tournament in South Africa.
"Christian Traesch won't be available for the World Cup and we regret this very much," assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick told a news conference Tuesday at Germany's training camp in northern Italy.
Traesch twisted his ankle without contact with another player and will need at least a four-week rest.
Germany won 4-0 against a local selection from South Tirol, a German speaking area in northern Italy. The game was played over two 30-minute halves on Monday.
Germany coach Joachim Loew now remains with two extra players in his squad who will have to be cut before the June 1 deadline. He also has to name his captain for the World Cup after Ballack's injury.
The seven players from Bayern Munich, which lost the Champions League final 2-0 against Inter Milan on Saturday, were joining the squad Tuesday and Wednesday.
Germany plays in Hungary on Saturday and then hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 3 in its last two warmup games before traveling to the World Cup.
