Depleted ranks

German soccer coach Joachim Loew must be wondering if he'll have any healthy players left by the time the World Cup begins in South Africa next month.

Central defender Heiko Westermann is the latest first-team player to be ruled out of the competition, having fractured his left foot in Saturday's 3-0 friendly win against Hungary in Budapest.

"Heiko would have played a very important role at the World Cup for our team. That is because of his multi-faceted play. In training he was in superb physical condition," Loew said.

The 27-year-old central defender, who has 19 caps, played a crucial role in Schalke's failed push for the Bundesliga title this season, cementing himself as a regular in the national team in the process.

"Naturally I am devastated because it was my big goal to take part in the World Cup," said Westermann. "I felt fully fit but now the only thing left for me to do is to wish the team all the best at the tournament."

Five down, 23 required

Westermann is the fifth German player to be ruled out of the World Cup with injury in a matter of weeks.

Captain Michael Ballack is out with an ankle ligament injury, with fellow midfielders Christian Traesch and Simon Rolfes also unable to represent their country.

First choice goalkeeper Rene Adler's broken ribs mean that Westermann's Schalke team mate, Manuel Neuer, will wear the number one shirt in South Africa.

Both Adler and Neuer are relatively new to international soccer, after the tragic suicide of former first choice goalie Robert Enke late last year.

Coach Joachim Loew, still with one of the strongest squads of any of the 32 World Cup competitors at his disposal, must name his final 23-man selection for the competition on Tuesday. Germany's opening fixture is against Australia on June 13.

msh/AFP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar