Leroy Sane ruled out of Germany vs Japan due to knee injury

Leroy Sane has sustained an injury in training and has been ruled out of Germany’s opening World Cup game against Japan.

Sane, 26, has missed Germany’s final training session before they take on Japan on Wednesday.

A statement from the DFB on Tuesday morning read: “The German National team must be without Leroy Sane in her World Cup opening game against Japan on Wednesday.

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“The 26-year-old offensive player from champions FC Bayern Munich is unavailable against the four-time Asian champions due to knee problems. The remaining 25 players of the German World Cup squad took part in the final training session in Al-Shamal.

“After lunch, the four-time world champions’ squad head to Qatar’s capital, Doha, where captain Manuel Neuer and company will spend the night before the opening game.”

Germany head coach Hansi Flick is due to speak to the press later on Tuesday, alongside Sane’s Bayern team-mate Joshua Kimmich.

Sane had been expected to start against Japan but Flick does have options in that area, with Serge Gnabry, Julian Brandt, Mario Gotze and Kai Havertz all options. Jamal Musiala could also feature out wide.

Sane has been a regular in Germany squads since making his debut in 2015. Since then, the former Manchester City winger has appeared 45 times for his country, scoring 11 goals. Elsewhere in Group D on Wednesday, Spain take on Costa Rica.

Germany’s next game after Japan is against Spain on Sunday.

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(Photo: Getty Images)

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